Gameplay Here
The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.
“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
With Master Shaine gone Janira speaks once again. So, I have been in the area of these caves at the very least. Does anyone have any questions before we get down to brass tacks?
Adowyn shakes her head.
"Janira, master of scrolls - no further question!“
She turns to the other Pathfinders.
”Greeting fellow Pathfinders! I believe it is always good to first start with introductions to learn our strengths and weaknesses. My name is Adowyn, I wander the Inner Sea as a bounty hunter, with my wolf, Leryn, at my side. She is quiet around people, but often engages in animated conversations with me as the we track their prey so please do not be concerned when I start talking with my wolf! I am a very good ranged bowman and Leryn ... well you can imagine, right?" he says with a grin.
Leryn looks around.
”Grrrrrrrr ... “
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The next Pathfinder to enter the room is dressed in Sarenite vestments. Their are slight of build but graceful. Their hair is the color of spun gold and falls just below the neckline. Their skin is like bronze. Their eyes are pupil-less orbs that catch the light and seem to shine it back into the room. An array of gold bangles adorns each wrist. A crossbow is slung over their back, with a case of bolts at their side. A weapon, similar in shape to a scimitar, but the size of a dagger is tucked into the sash of the vestments they wear. As they approach, their skin is not covered in tanned flesh, but minute scales that catch the light and reflect it in scintillating patterns.
"Greetings Pathfinders. I am Jain, Oracle of the Everlight. May light and warmth comfort you always. It is an honor that you have chosen me to be one to illuminate these caves."
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An elf continues to take small bites as he studies the gathered team members. Ah. a Sarenite eh? Undead beware. And a hunter of men, with a wolf no less. Quite interesting. He continues to scribble notes into a journal before speaking. "Well met friends. I am Cillian. I have endeavored to learn a little about quite a variety of subjects. I hope this proves to be useful."
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A man of Taldan descent enters the room, wearing the emblem of Sarerae on his armor and shield. He looks more like a warrior than a holy man.
Good day to you all, and blessings be upon us as the Lady of the Light shines down on us. I am Ander, of the Cassomir Baldaros'. Delighted to meet you all. he says then seeing a fellow follower os Sarenrae, his face lights up.
Greetings. Nice to see another of the flock along for the mission.
As for what I can contribute, I am a healer, but will not shy away from getting up close and personal. I couldn't obey by all the restrictions of the paladin's order, so thought I could serve as a martial healer. I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well...
I think we are waiting on one more prospective member. While we wait let's discuss the mission at hand, Janira says with an eager grin. After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.
The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.
Now, before we head out, if there aren’t any more questions, we should take a moment to go through your gear and make sure nothing important gets left out.
She takes a look at each of your packs. Does everyone have common survival supplies? Things like rope, a light source, food, a way to make fire, any sources of healing, and other essentials. While not essential sometimes an alchemist’s fire, antitoxins, and the like can also be useful if you have the coin.
Adowyn raises an eyebrow.
She just says, ”I have everything I need. Thanks!“
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Rather excited that he has something to contribute, Cillian rapidly flips back through his dog-eared journal. "Ah yes! The Kortos Mounts. Just about dead center of the island. Filled with all sorts of monstrous creatures. Centaurs, minotaurs, and the higher we go, the better the chance of harpies. Now, those gillmen, two rumors come to mind. They are amphibious, so they need to be close to water, and they may be distant relatives of the Atlanti. Rather hard to prove that last part though."
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"Cillian neglected to mention that During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater."
Does everyone have common survival supplies? Things like rope, a light source, food, a way to make fire, any sources of healing, and other essentials. While not essential sometimes an alchemist’s fire, antitoxins, and the like can also be useful if you have the coin.
"No. I don't have any of that, and I don't have any extra coin either. You'd think a group that organizes missions would make provisions of such basic supplies to its members. Well, I can supply healing and light thanks to Sarenrae."
Ok, I think between us all we have enough supplies to get us through. Lets get underway while we have daylight.
You move though the city as a group. Janira leads you to the Society's stables where you are assigned horses and you are officially underway. Gradually the city gives way to rolling plains and gradually the ground begins to rise into wooded hills.
As you travel Janira speaks about famous Pathfinders of the past. She clearly idolizes these historical figures and speaks of them with great reverence.
She also gives you small pieces of advice on this specific mission also.
”The area we’re heading to is controlled by a large centaur tribe. If we cross paths with any of them, they’ll see the horses as an affront and might become dangerously unfriendly. Our mission is to explore the caves and investigate the gillmen activity, not fight the local populace.”
As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of what remains of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser. Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well. She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. L. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.
You keep going and soon come to an area with large trees, some sparse undergrowth and a rocky outcrop jutting 20 feet unto the air. Suddenly a large tree falls with a crash startling all manner of creatures. Some advance on the party and attack in fear.
If you roll 21 or higher, you may ask for more information.
Janira begins to speak. “Let us remember the sacrifice of the fabled Yasmin bint Faroud, favored of the Ten, who gave her life distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within the Society.”
Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act
Adowyn
Saski
Luke
Cillian
Janira
Jain
Enemies
Grimdog
With a twang Jain launches a bolt from their crossbow. The projectile thuds into the creature and it roars in pain.
Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act
Adowyn
Saski
Luke
Cillian
Janira
Jain
Enemies (Red -12)
Grimdog
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Wow! Actual hippogriffs! So beautiful, but too dangerous.
Cillian reaches to the quiver on his back and slides out an arrow. He knocks it and lets fly. A three count later, he is rewarded with a soft <<fwap!>>.
for
Damn! Forgot to account for the wings buffeting the air. I barely scratched it.
Anticipating a counter attack, the investigator then takes a few steps back. "Do not be caught off-guard. They're fast and will be on us in seconds."
At least if it follows me, we can trap it between us.
Cillian's arrow flies true and nicks the wing of the hippogriff.
Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act
Adowyn
Saski
Luke
Cillian
Janira
Jain
Enemies (Red -12, Green -2)
Grimdog
”These beasts look dangerous!!!!“
Adowyn shoots two arrows with her longbow at the red bird.
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Adowyn shouts ”Leryn guard!“
Leryn immediately reacts and guards Adowyn and readies an action to attack should the bird get near her or himself.
Adowyn fires two arrows at Red and it falls to the ground in a flurry of feathers.
Combat Round 1 - Bold May Act
Adowyn
Saski
Luke
Cillian
Janira
Jain
Enemies (Green -2)
Grimdog
The group takes out the hippogriffs with no-one getting injured. A good start to your Confirmation.
”Congratulations! You all worked together well. See how much stronger you are as a team when everybody cooperates?” Janira beams at your performance so far.
She shoulders her pack and continues pushing further into the forest.
Several hours pass uneventfully, but then you start running into problems: first a recent landslide that blocks the trail, then a shortcut overgrown since a month ago. ”I’m afraid we’ll need to find a different path. If we don’t get there by dusk, we may have to wait a whole month for another chance! Is anybody well trained at tracking or navigating the wilderness?”
Adowyn tried to find a path!
Several of the group find paths, but it is Saski that finds what looks to be the easier and most direct route. You move through following a dry creek bed as you advance up the incline.
The dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,” Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”
As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth. The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!” As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots you.
Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!” She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.
If you roll 24 or higher, you may ask for more information.
”We won’t leave you!!“ Adowyn says.
”Leryn, prepare!“
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Cillian is frozen in his tracks. A minatour? Words seem to stumble from his mouth. Killing machine! Flesh-tearing horns, deadly with an axe." He shakes his head clear and surveils the situation, "We need to stay together. It's our only chance. I don't even think Janira knows what she's up against. It won't fit into the cave. Let's go! We can regroup and formulate a plan."
[ooc] No DR, SR or resistances. That is 3 votes for entering the cave. Update coming in the morning. Have a sick 4 year old on my lap right now and don't have the scenario to advance us/ooc]
- potion of barkskin
- potion of cure light wounds (2)
- potion of feather step
- potion of vanish
- scroll of entangle
- scroll of gust of wind
- scroll of identify
- scroll of mage armor (CL 6)
- scroll of obscuring mist
- wand of burning hands (CL 3, 4 charges)
- wand of cure light wounds (CL 3, 8 charges)
- acid flask
- alchemist’s fire (2)
- holy water
- smokestick
- tanglefoot bag
- thunderstone
- antitoxin
- sunrod (2)
The caves are damp and slippery, and usually about 7 feet wide and high. Some tunnels are tighter or more spacious though. The walls are covered with patches of blue-green luminescent fungi that provide dim light.
Petroglyphs periodically decorate the walls, mostly with marine animals and spiraling shapes. The deeper you travel, the more of these wall paintings that you find.
The narrow tunnel twists and turns for several hundred feet before slowly opening to a wider passage. A large hole spans the cave’s width and stretches ten feet down the path. floating in the pit is a small bundle of cloth. The corners of the pit are rounded, and the tunnel walls don’t look easy to climb either.
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Akkina equips the wand of cure light wounds in her left shield hand, ready to use it in case someone gets hurt. Handing the rest of the bag to the group, she inspects the hole's dimensions and begins to stretch against the cave wall. Satisfied that she is warmed up properly, she takes a running leap and jumps across the 10' pit.
Once on the other side she stealthily rounds the next corner to make sure no enemies lie in wait for the group.
...however, Akkina stubs her toe against something hard unable to pierce the darkness with her human eyes, creating a loud clattering noise in the process...
The something that Akkina stubs her toe on turns out to be a board that is a couple of feet wide and long enough to bridge the pit, if she so chooses to use it.
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Feeling around the wood board in the dark, she hoists it over her shoulder with some difficulty, then heads back towards the pit and the rest of the party.
"I found something of use. It appears solid enough to serve as a bridge."
She lays down the wood board over the watery pit. She then attempts to fish out the bundle of cloth with the tip of her sawtooth sabre.
Adowyn is glad the bridge was found.
She crosses over.