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A new era is beginning for the Pathfinder Society, with new recruits and new factions all excited to build connections and embark on grand adventures. The PCs are among these recruits invited to attend a welcoming party where they can meet both the old guard as well as the up-and-coming leaders. But the party's not all talk; the PCs learn of four exciting escapades in Absalom, through which they can kick off their adventuring careers!
This adventure's individual missions include numerous variations that make each play-through exciting and different.
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It seems as though the entire Grand Lodge has the air of a celebration. The great gates are flung wide, and the phoenix trees lining the entryway are in full flame. The halls of the main tower of Skyreach, normally somber and reserved, echo with the sound of voices and music. The great ballroom is decked for a celebration, with colorful banners and bunting along the walls, tables replete with food and drink, and a jovial cacophony of conversation rising from Pathfinders of all ancestries, nations, and backgrounds. After a quick scan of the room, it’s obvious that many of the attendees have gathered in small groups here and there. A half-orc woman in an iconic ship captain’s hat stands near the punch bowl, handing cups to anyone who passes within reach, and a dark-skinned half-elf leads a small group of new agents around the room, introducing them to other attendees. Several senior agents stand in quiet conferral with a dark-haired Taldan man with a distinctive chin strap beard, while a scholarly dwarf tells a rousing tale to a growing audience.
A familiar blond halfling woman bounces over, bubbling with excitement. Janira Gavix, Head Initiate of the Pathfinder Society, grins, “Oh, I’m so glad you made it! After all, the celebration is for you. Have you gotten drinks? Snacks? Be sure to spend some time getting to know everyone—it’s best to be on good terms with the movers and shakers in the Society, that’s how you learn about the latest opportunities. I’ll be here if you need me to help you with anyone’s names or to make an introduction. Just let me know how I can help!” Janira gestures everyone forward into the room, beaming all the while.
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An athletic human man looks surprised to see Janira, "Janira! I've heard some of your tales, but I thought you died! I'm glad that turned out to not be true." having been raised by halflings, Menas is quite a fan of Janira's exploits.
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An impish halfling enters the courtyard, bouncing with excitement. He wears many-layered clothes of mostly white and red, and a large eagle perches on his heavy backpack.
"Oh, this promises to be fun," he grins. "Hello, all! Name's Vellir. Is that an order, Ma'am, or can we spend some time mingling with the common folk? Likely over some good food."
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A tall man in a breastplate enters the room, his backpack covered with a shield decorated with the holy symbol of Iomedae. He looks around the room with a serious face, as if not really interested in the festivities.
"Good day Miss... Janira, is it? I'm Matheus, glad to meet you. Say, can we have a brief tour of the place, just to gather some informations? Or should we all focus on the drinks and snacks and wait for the main event to arrive?"
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A lean half-orc stands near the other initiates and nods to them, as well as Janira. He is dressed in studded leather armor, of a Rahadoum style. Atop his head, contrasting sharply with the Rahadoum style, is a black bowler hat. A bandolier across his chest holds an assortment of small vials containing liquids and powders of various colors. "Evening. Doctor Grime Percival Bloodshanks, at your service."
He motions toward the refreshments. "I agree with our new diminutive friend, Vellir. Let us novices socialize while we have a light repast."
Not waiting for anyone else to respond, he heads toward the half-orc woman who is distributing drinks. "I don't mind if I do, thank you much!" he replies if a drink is offered to him.
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Janira watches each and everyone of the new Pathfinders making their way into the room, beaming with delight at the new recruits. She will point to some food that is being handed out and drinks that are being showcassed as well. "Feel free to mingle, should you need some information on the people of interest, feel free to ask me, or if you are confident enough, share your knowledge with your companions!"
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A bright eyed goblin wearing plates of bone on his shoulders and thighs and a pair of shorts bounces up and down excitedly. A sword that looks just slightly too big for him rests on his back. "Ooh, me next me next! I Tevvy Dragonskull! You all new Pathfinders in for a treat, these parties are lots fun, even if Tevvy isn't allowed to set things on fire."
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Vellir's grin widens further upon the arrival of others. "I'm sure we can make time for the higher-ups, too," he chuckles with the Doc.
To Tevvy, he gestures at the phoenix trees. "Well, maybe one day you'll be in charge of those strange wonders! Must be good at parties, those."
The halfling snorts a little at Matheus's question. "Newer to the fold than most, I'll admit. I couldn't see myself doing three years of prep-work. But I assume that's today's assignment? Get to know the bosses, pave the road for a mission down the line... and most of all, party!"
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Janira seems to move around as she gather's drinks and food and hands them out to her new "protege's" as the seem to enjoy the festivities, she would point out some of the higher ups and chat away about them, not mentioning any names unless asked by the pathfinders during the chats she would mention that it might be worthwhile for the group to meet and greet, and introduce themselves as well to make sure they are noted.
As you look around and take in you see several faction leaders roaming around or caught up in conversations, the ones standing out are Calisro Benarry former captain of the grinning pixie and now faction leader for the Horizon Hunters Faction. Also Eando Kline of the Vigilant Seal Faction is present, his taldan descent is showing with the with tan skin, dark hair, and a distinctive chin strip of facial hair. Fola Barun of the Envoys' Alliance Faction can be seen, she is a dark-skinned half-elf woman who is near the entrance to the celebration and she has given each of you a friendly nod already to indicate she has seen you and welcomed you. Gorm Greathammer of the Grand Archive Faction can be seen as well standing with a group, laughter seems to erupt time to time from the group as they share stories.
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Doc Grime Bloodshanks takes a drink from the half-orc woman. He sniffs it, them pulls an empty vial and scoops some into the vial. He pops a cork on it, slipping it into his badolier, then produces a other vial, this one filled with a blue powder. He sprinkles the powder lightly into the drink. He holds the powder vial out, offering to the half-orc woman and anyone else nearby. "Care to try some? Peppermint. Good for the sinuses. No, then?" He returns the vial to his bondolier and takes a sip of the drink, sighing contentedly.
"Now, if I am not much mistaken, you are Captain Benarry, are you not? Do tell, what are the happenings of the Horizon Hunters?"
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As the group makes their way to Calisro Benarry they notice that she is in an animated discussion with Aaqir al-Hakam, a well-groomed, clean-shaven man of Qadiran descent, dressed finely and flashing a charming smile. Rumor has it that he once used to be part of a substantial trading consortium known as the Exchange. As they discuss the finer parts Calisro turns to the team of Pathfinders and flashes them a smile "Ahh, the new recruits have arrived! I am so glad you could all make it, let me introduce you to Aaqir al-Hakam, a trader who is known to exchange his goods and coins with us..." She raises her glass to all of them as she turns to the doctor and flashes him a smile "They are doing well, exploring, uncovering more treasures and challenging danger where they can, possibly something all of you are interested in?"
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"It's what I signed on for, I think," Vellir replies to Calisro. "Seems like one of our more common activities. And a good one too."
To Aaqir, he chips in, "Good to meet you! Will we be seeing you around the Lodge, or are you more of a behind-the-scenes performer? Or are there other matters to attend to, perhaps?"
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Calisro smiles and nods to Vellir in appreciation. "I see you know your way around... Should you be interested there is a house in the Precipe Quarter that is rumored to be haunted and marked for demolition... Something that would be worth a story and some adventuring..." She paused for some dramatic effect before continuining. "Unless ofcourse, you aren't up for it?" Grinning for a moment she continued "After all, you don't always have to travel far to find stories and explore buildings..."
Aaqir raised his glass for a moment as he engaged Namza, Doc and Vellir with an answer, explaining that he was looking for new trading opportunities and setting up a new company.
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Calisro laughs at the enthusiasm of the new Pathfinders and nods at each of them. "I wish you well on your adventures and I hope you will share the stories with me!" With that she turns to continue her discussion with Aaqir. Aaqir endulges the pathfinders with some more information but manages to keep Calisro focused on him and not be distracted by the adventurers.
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As Doc Bloodshanks makes his way to Gorm Greathammer it becomes clear he is in an animated talk with Gloriana Morilla whose Taldan heritage is obvious from her dark hair and aquiline nose, but her clothing and accessories are more reserved than most Taldan nobles would prefer. When entering and approaching her and Gorm it is clear that they are discussing politics and how to handle those things.
Gorm gives a brief nod before turning to Gloriana and explaining to her the advantages of nobility and how to go about it within current societies
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Vellir never quite understood how tall folk think. He shakes his head and chuckles at Namza's display. He watches the dwarf and the Taldan for a moment before sidling over. "Good to meet you both! Vellir. I'll cop to it, this topic isn't my strong suit. But fortunately, I like to learn and could try to make it so! By that vein, how are things in..." the halfling struggles to recall Taldor's capital. "...Almas?"
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The antics of Menas and Namza are being noted by those around them and some give them looks that are clearly indicating this isn't the place nor the time. Doc on the other hand seems to pick up on the hints and notes of politics being discussed. As the conversation continues he manages to distract the lady long enough for Gorm to look at the group and sigh for a moment.
"Ahh, young pathfinders, sorry for being occupied, the Lady and I were discussing politics and it seems that she found another victim for those discussions..." chuckling at his own words he continued "Rumor has it that in the College of Mysteries a scholar is working on potentially dangerous research. I have no idea what it is or what he is up to, but should you get your hands on those nameless scrolls, a copy making it's way towards me would be, appreciated..."
Just before turning away and continuing the discussion with Gloriana he hands Doc Bloodshank a selection of 3 scrolls and he can choose one of them,
Scrolls are disrupting weapon, heal and magic missile
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With the scrolls handed and the team free now, they have to grab their next mission, only 2 left to grab them, who will they go to first?
Meanwhile some gnomes and goblins have decided to join in with the spectacle from Namza and Menas and it seems like a full strongman competition might be on the way, if not for the goblins who still manage to make it look like they are out of place.
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Bloodshanks heads toward Fola, glancing with amusement at the exhibition of physicality taking place around them. When he reaches the half-elf woman, he says, "Good evening. How are the recruiting efforts of the Envoy's Alliance proceeding?" He looks around to see if there is someone harassing the poor woman and what he can perhaps do to assist her.
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As Doc makes his way over to Fola Barun he notices that the Steward of the Grand Lodge is talking to her. She turns and greets all the pathfinders by their name and introduces them to Ambrus Valsin who greets them as well. "Ahh pathfinders, it's good to see you here and mingle so you get to know who is who, depending on how you approach your task from Mistress Fola I might have to keep an eye on you all..." Fola seems to be taken aback for a second before speaking up. "Ahh yeah, that thing..." turning to the pathfinders she continues "I need you all to go to the Westgate and use this salve on one of the prisoners there, now this can only be used on the target and not someone else..." She hands Doc a potion "Questions?"
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Vellir turns a few backflips a table away, feeling silly at acting like Menas and Namza in public. He'd rather show off his progress in building
things, but must play to his strengths.
Once Old Mutton-Chops has been driven off, he rejoins the conversation proper. "Are the prisoners kept paralyzed there? It sounds barbaric, or maybe good. Depends on the method."
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with the distraction being provided by Doc and Vellir Fola manages to speak up some more. "I know it sounds barbaric however the person was petrified during the Charge of the Gorgon, he was caught smuggling a forbidden item into the city." She let it sink in for a moment before explaining the rest "The relic in question had been recovered from an Azlanti ruin within gillmen territory at the Society’s request, i feel it is our responsibility to have the pathfinder to be restored..." Providing the pathfinders a wry smile she provided them with a potion
With all said and done, she thanked the future pathfinder team andturned to continued her talk with Ambrus.
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"Oh, thank Desna!" Vellir chuckles. "I should've known this affair wouldn't be so good if only the stuffy tall folk were here. Have to crane your neck on the off chance they want to talk-" the halfling produces a coin and starts juggling it between his hands and around his body, "-don't seem to recall the important things-" he adds several different coins to the rotation, "-and have no appreciation of the real party tricks. By that vein, where's the gold measure?"
As Tamrin is likely in on such halfling antics, he'll know the coin should rest on the head, just below the hair. But if he has quick eyes, he sees it was passed to the eagle on Vellir's shoulder.