A Pathfinder 2E Society Scenario designed for levels 1–4 (Subtiers 1–2 and 3–4).
When the Pathfinder Society receives word of a promising, unexplored ruin in Osirion, the PCs set out to uncover the site's secrets.
Yet upon arriving, the PCs learn that a different group of Pathfinders has already entered the ruins.
Has there been some mistake, is the site's magic playing tricks on everyone, or is there something more nefarious afoot?
Written by Linda Zayas-Palmer.
Scenario Tags: Repeatable.
The sandswept nation of Osirion is truly ancient. Its first pharaohs arose from the warring factions along the River Sphinx, and a succession of pharaohs ruled over the land for millennia.
This period came to an end in conquest, when the forces of Kelesh assassinated the pharaoh and brought Osirion under their rule.
But just over a century ago, Osirion regained its independence.
Under its new pharaohs, the Osiriani people have worked to preserve their cultural history and protect it from outsiders who might seek to exploit their ancient treasures.
In recent years the Osiriani policies on allowing outsiders to investigate their tombs and sites have become far more strict, following several disasters originating in opened tombs... Eando Kline of the Vigilant Seal faction could have told them so!
Last night, you all arrived at Sandswept Hall, the Pathfinder Lodge in Sothis, the capital city of Osirion.
After a night's rest, you wake to find your clothes washed and already dried under the desert sun that, even so early, burns bright.
You may wash, have water, tea, and fresh food - maybe exotic to some - for breakfast, and get to meet your fellow Pathfinders.
It is even possible to make some purchases at the local bazaar.
Venture-captain Norden Balentiir, whose summons brought you here in the first place, will see you later on, around noon.
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A tall elf in brightly colored robes clearly has the demeanor of a dancer. He moves around lightly on his feet as he selects a variety of fruits and bread for breakfast. He balances a pot of tea on his head as he walks into the meeting room with food in both hands. He carefully sets everything down.
As other team members enter, he greets them jovially. "Variel Dardala, dancer and practitioner of the martial arts. I can scout as well as fight, and look forward to seeing what our good Venture-Captain has for us today!"
In the breakfast room, for the meeting has not been called for yet, the dark skinned servants, dressed in long loose-fitting robes, cringe, hoping Variel will not break the tea pot.
A short, very slightly stubbled Taldan man enters. A crossbow on his back along with a starknife at his belt clearly labels him as an adventurer, while the Wayfinder around his nect even more clearly labels him as a Pathfinder.
A smiling halfling, perhaps a squire of some sort accompanies him.
"Well me Variel, my name is Arrus, let's see who else is with us today."
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A tall human man enters the breakfast room and pauses just inside the door. He seems out of place, in appearance and demeanor, as he is far away from home. He has tanned skin and very little hair, which he keeps shaved into a low, thin mohawk running the middle of his head. He eyes the breakfast table, scanning for treats as he walks toward the table. He settles on a loaf of bread and some cheese. He pours himself a glass of water and takes in the rest of the room.
He sees the brightly elf figure and walks towards him. He places his breakfast on a nearby table and greets his new companion. He offers his hand in greeting and says, "Good morning, my forest-home friend. I am called Lost Child Seeker. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
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Variel smiles and shakes the shoanti's hand. "Wonderful to meet you! I am not familiar with your peoples' naming practices ... are you currently seeking a lost child, or is that something you did for which you are honored? If the latter, I would love to hear the story. My own name is merely the traditional 'given name from an ancestor and family name from one or both of your parents'. I've been considering adopting a stage name, but can't think of anything interesting."
He nods toward Arrus and says, "Good morning to you as well. And please, introduce your traveling companion."
Arrus looks slightly embarrassed "Of course, this is Drogo Hildigrim. He's still in training, but will be joining us in largely an observational role as part of his training."
Drogo pipes up "Hi! Marcos assigned me to shadow Arrus here. I've had a lot of trouble passing my physicals so I'm not a field agent yet. Marcos Farabellus thought that seeing some Field Agents in action would be helpful. I know lots about the history of the society and etiquette stuff though so don't be afraid to ask."
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Lost Child Seeker returns the smile offered, his dark eyes glinting in the light. He perks up a bit when asked about his culture. "My people are given a birth name as children. As adults, we are given an honorific which we are known as. Our birth names are only used by those we are close to, close friends, family and the like. I was formerly known as Far Seer, but I changed my name to Lost Child Seeker to remind myself of a task that I failed."
Lost Child Seeker then turns to Arrus and Drogo, realizing that he was accidentally neglecting them. He offers his hand in greeting. "It is nice to meet you Arrus. And Drogo, it is good to meet you as well. I have always been fond of the light-stepper people."
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Eldon cleans himself up and heads downstairs.
He is a tall man with ashen-grey skin and white hair. Eldon Dresses in Fine clothes of Blacks and Reds, and has a Tan striped cat walking around and by his side.
He sits at the table with the others and signals a server, "Meal Please." he says with a slightly haughty tone.
Looking to the others at the table The name is Eldon Eagleblood. I assume you all have been summoned by the Venture-Captain also."
When Eldon calls out for his meal, the servants, who were waiting respectfully to the side, step forward and place various Osiriani dishes before him: goat cheese and curd, olives, honey, bread, olive oil, fresh vegetables...
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From the doorway comes "Greetings of the day to you all. I'm Tybalt Stonepeak. Well met. I see breakfast is ready. Good." The dwarf takes a seat at the table. He's already armed and armored, though he does set down his weapons before coming to the table. Once he's served, Tybalt attacks the food and requests a second serving.
The servants let out an audible sigh upon realizing the dwarf master will not be carving his bread with sword and axe.
You partake in the great breakfast, and talk, but, soon... It is noon, time to head to your meeting.
You pass one of the two aqueduct-fed pools just outside the garden, from which fresh water is drawn, and make your way into the gardens housed inside the walls of the Sandswept Hall lodge.
You see they are designed to be a place of tranquillity amidst the bustle of the city of Sothis, and they are quiet indeed.
You admire the fine date palms, sycamores, and tamaris, as well as a variety of grapevines and hanging plants that grow on latticework, providing fine shade, which is a welcome respite from the sweltering midday sun.
Now you see Venture-captain Norden Balentiir.
He reaches up to one of the date palms overhead, pulling down a bunch of ripe fruit to share with you, gesturing for all to join him on cushions around the low table.
”They’re good for much more than shade, my friends,” he says, nodding towards the trees.
”But I did not call you here to enjoy my garden.
A few months ago, I finally received confirmation that we would be able to execute one of the last excavation permits issued by the Osiriani government.
The site is a desert location where the dunes have shifted, revealing the beginnings of a staircase leading down beneath the sands.
The Osiriani government is protective of its cultural history, and with recent changes in their stance on allowing foreign archaeologists to work inside their borders, I wasn’t sure this permit would even stand.
The bureaucracy was rather slow this time around, but it turns out we were approved before they stopped issuing permits.
I’ve already secured your provisions, including camels, tents, food, water, tools to perform the excavation, and a map to the site.
As you know, it may take many weeks to clear the site of debris.”
He stares at each one of you, for a few seconds, making sure you are listening: ”The desert can be unforgiving, so don’t hesitate to return here to rest as needed.”
Then he smiles, and bites into another date.
”The government has already sent guards to oversee the site and protect against any potential
thieves.
Remember—keeping up a good reputation in Osirion is vital to the Pathfinder Society’s continued presence here.
Don’t antagonize the guards.”
Once again he looks at you, an eyebrow raised…
Arrus nods "Quite unusual to get permission, I guess we just lucked out on the timing. Are the guards expecting us?"
The Venture-captain smiles at Arrus: "Yes, simply show your permit to vouch for who you are, and all will be fine. For, yes, they are guarding the site for us, and expecting Pathfinders to start checking the place out."
A sudden, near-blinding flash of light can be seen covering half of the garden site--its glow evidence even under the glare of the desert's noon day sun. This followed quickly by a loud, thundering *BOOM*. The explosion, though originating from outside the garden, nevertheless rustles a number of the delicate leaves from their resting place in the trees.
Soon thereafter, entering the garden is the form of a blackened and sopping-wet goblin. His boots squeak and squish as his small legs propel him toward the direction of Norden Balentiir. The goblin's drenched form punctuates a trail of sodden footprints stretching all the way back to the one of the aqueduct-fed pools that lies just beyond the garden's wall.
Dirty beads of water are flung through the air as the goblin makes a gesture vaguely resembling a salute before the distinguished Venture-Captain, before announcing, "Agent Fumbus reporting for duty!"
With the remnants of tiny rivulets still sticking to his face, the topography of Fumbus' greenish face contorts into that of a sharp-toothed grin.
"Fumbus' a bit late. Fumbus had a...er…slight problem in getting here on time. Most sad that Fumbus missed breakfast. But," he continues, as his hand subconsciously descends to his backside to give a soothing rub to the well-charred seat of his pants. "Fumbus all good and ready to go now."
The servants hide away the weapons they had just pulled out, and Norden Balentiir cuts short the mixing of fluids in a small crystal vial he was about to perfom... putting these away, he smiles and bows deep to Fumbus.
"We shall see you have some breakfast, and we are happy to see you here!"
Among the papers, there is information you probably already know.
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Lost Child Seeker quietly takes in the scene of the wonderful garden. He is amazed at how a patch of vibrant life can thrive amidst the endless sands this nation is known for. His quiet contemplation is suddenly interrupted upon the entrance of his newest companion.
"I will do my best sir. Respect the land and it's peoples, and receive cooperation and respect in return."
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"You can trust in us to present a professional and respectful air to the Osiriani. Right, Fumbus?"
A slow, extended squeaking sound emanates from the goblin. Once the noise ends, Fumbus declares, "Air presented."
He then pats his belly and notes, "Room now for more breakfast."
Upon spying the papers, Fumbus takes a step away farther away from them, so as not to risk imperiling his immortal soul.
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Variel raises an eyebrow at Fumbus' entrance, but when Balantiir clearly recognizes the goblin as a Pathfinder, he just smiles. "Well, I had heard that there were goblins in our ranks now, but had not met one yet. I look forward to seeing you in action."
To the venture-captain, he says, "Of course we will represent the Society and you in exactly the manner you expect. When do we begin?"
The Venture-captain smiles: "Dwarves, Goblins, and Elves side by side, professional and respectful, with proud Shoanti leading the way. Our Society is a wonderful thing. And, of course" - he says, looking at Fumbus - "with breakfast for all, as much as your stomach desires."
Turning back to Variel: "Begin when you wish. Though, I would advise you to travel near dusk and dawn, and to take shelter from the midday sun. Also, bundle up at night. So maybe leave tonight, or before dawn tomorrow. Ah, and drink plenty" - he eyes Tybalt - "of water!"
"Finally, the desert heat can play tricks on your eyes so stick to the map, use your" - he eyes Fumbus - "common sense, and you’ll be fine!”
You all know that if you wish to purchase items before leaving for the desert, Sothis is a thriving port, and you can find pretty much any items you wish in this city's bazaar.
"Any last questions, my friends, or do I leave you to prepare and then bid you safe travels?!"
Fumbus, with thoughts of food dominating his mind says nothing more at the meeting. The mention of the map, no doubt harboring lettering and marks, making him rather nervous.
As the party departs the garden, Fumbus scurries in order to keep up with the others. "Longshanks' legs always seem so...er...long."
Before leaving the meeting place, Fumbus pauses at the pool that had previously visited. Large conglomerates of sunken ash now line the bottom of the pool, though a few burnt flakes and singed feathers still float on its surface. The goblin dips his canteen into the pool for a quick fill before departure. Having removed the now full vessel from the water, Fumbus blows on the lip of the canteen in an effort to remove a few of the blackened feathers adhering to it. Unsuccessful, he gives a shrug and pushes down hard on the stop, somehow haphazardly managing to seal the vessel. He then, onve again scurries to catch up with his fellow agents
You can take some looser fitting and lighter clothes to travel.
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Lost Child Seeker confers with his companions and examines his kit. "I believe that I'm properly prepared for the journey. I think that nighttime travel would be best, for me anyway. I'm not used to the climate in these lands."
"As for awareness during the night, I am quite perceptive. However, I don't have any preternatural abilities to aid me during poor light conditions. Swift Runner, my horse, has a keen sense of smell."
screams Fumbus, instinctively reaching for his dogslicer then crawling for a hiding place behind the nearest object. He quickly shelters in place, then begins to cower before stuttering out, "It-It-It's n-n-not n-near-b-b-by...is it?"
The goblin looks around quickly to ensure that he is well distanced from any such hated creature, but does not search too intently for fear of actually laying eyes on one.
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Lost Child Seeker looked at his small companion with an air of surprise. Realization slowly takes hold and he replies, "I'm sorry. I forgot about your people's relations with horses. I hope we can work through this. I will do my best to keep Swift Runner away from you. He is currently stabled, so there is no need to worry."
Fumbus breathes a sigh of relief. Having heard what he wishes to hear, the goblin parrots back, " 'He is currently stabbed, so there is no need to worry.' "
Satisfied that no horse is nearby, the goblin sheathes his blade and offers his skills as a scout, "Fumbus see good in dark. Eyes always see better in dark than noses do anyways."
"Fumbus can travel ahead in desert. Look out for big bads. Fumbus then sing if Fumbus see anything!" he suggests, appearing rather proud of the scheme he has proposed.
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"Fumbus see good in dark. Eyes always see better in dark than noses do anyways."
"Fumbus can travel ahead in desert. Look out for big bads. Fumbus then sing if Fumbus see anything!" he suggests, appearing rather proud of the scheme he has proposed.
"Just don't get too far ahead ... if we can't see you, we can't help you."
Arrus shakes his head.
Ready to go.
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A young half Elven man makes his way into the meeting late, after the goblin even. It almost looks like he tried to use the distraction to his advantage since he was so behind.
"Good afternoon. Sorry to miss most of the festivities but one thing led to another and I'm late. Call me J.R." The man offers a handshake to everyone, even the Fumbus. He's dressed in simple woodsman's clothing, well the lighter bits of it considering the current climate, as well as having a crossbow across his back and a walking stick in hand.
"Did I hear correctly that you have already arranged for all the necessary supplies? Food and water are well stocked?"
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"Good afternoon. Sorry to miss most of the festivities but one thing led to another and I'm late. Call me J.R." The man offers a handshake to everyone, even the Fumbus.
Fumbus returns the greeting to half-elf, reaching up and offering a hand to the longshanks. "J.R. late." he says, shaking his head in apparent disapproval.
"Did I hear correctly that you have already arranged for all the necessary supplies? Food and water are well stocked?"
The goblin glances around at the party, making mental calculations, then concluding, "Yeah, all good. The dwarf could be eaten in a pinch."
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As his companions are preparing to leave, Lost Child Seeker dons his sturdy leather armor, straps on his sword throws his pack and archery gear on his back. He travels to the stables and retrieves Swift Runner. On his return he is wary to stay away from his goblin companion. He ties off Swift Runner out of sight. When he returns, he approaches Fumbus and asks, "Fumbus, would it be better if I used a different mount? I found a special kind of camel that has zero humps. I think that will work better."
After Lost Child Seeker gets his answer, he goes back and retrieves Swift Runner and returns.
Probably berating himself for not having taken a sturdy horse-slicer with him, Fumbus calms down when he hears that the horse will remain distant from him... but then starts to sweat profusely: how are you going to be traveling?
Are you all going to be getting horses and ponies?!
What madness is this?!
As the Goblin panics, and all are readying for the departure, an Elf arrives, and, shaking everybody's hands, tells you that: "It is important not to travel under the sun, at least not when full out and hot. It would wear us down very fast."
As for the water and food, your Venture-captain has prepared all, and this is well stocked. The supplies provided by the Baltentiir are plenty, and include desert clothes if needed, tents... and camels!
Fumbus scratches his head, and starts a philosophical introspection: are camels horses?
And Lost Child Seeker's humpless camel does look like a horse, but is not one if it is a camel... unless a camel is a horse?
However, once all the preparations and any last purchases done, you set off in the early afternoon, some riding their humpless camel, others either walking alongside the pack-camels, or trying to ride them if they feel comfortable doing so.
Soon, you have left Sothis, and head off into the desert dunes.
You decide to travel near dusk, and into the night, moving along under the moon, and into dawn the next day, and you keep on doing this for the next days, in order to take shelter from the midday sun in your tents, and sleep in the heat.
Doing this, and drinking plenty of water, while bundling up at night, you manage to navigate with the map, and the journey goes by just fine.
No attacks or encounters for any animal companions to battle.
After a week, you arrive in view of the archaeological site in the late morning.
As you arrive in the late morning, you all see some ruins, and it is quite obvious it is more than just sand that has been blown away by the desert winds.
Real excavation work is going on, and the ruin’s entrance has already been cleared up.
It is hard to see exactly what has been done, because what you imagine to be the staircase leading down is hidden by a canvas fence, probably secured around the staircase and entrance in order to keep the sand away from the opening...
But you see tools: shovels, picks, piles of wooden beams, coils of rope...
In front of the entrance, which is a slit in the canvas fence, a guard sits under a tarp.
She has dark skin, and though in the shade, is outfitted in ornate scale mail, actually has a pointed helm on her head, and long pieces of beautiful green cloth wrapped around her.
To the side, under some other tarps, four camels are lying down, munching away - these ones have humps.
While two people - probably guards, seeing the lances stuck in the sand beside them - seem to be napping in the shade.
As you approach, you all hear some distant melody, and soon realize the sitting guard is humming to herself... ♪♩♪♪♩
Somewhat like lightning in the sky
He was covered in tattoos
I don't know his name, I don't know anything about him
Yet he loved me all night long...
Arrus waves to the humming guard, seeing no need to wake the others with a sudden shout.
The lady guard at the entrance, stops singing, and nods to Arrus, she looks at all of you.
The woman smiles, and bows her head: "And I am Officer Elrekah..."
She then sighs, and mutters:
"More Pathfinders! Never ending..."
She holds her hand out to take the papers.
"You are here to “Explore, Report, Corroborate", I imagine, with your Wayfinders!"
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Seemingly satisfied with the Shoanti's explanation, Fumbus does not protest the use of a "camel", though he still maintains his distance. Scouting ahead, he spies the robable guards and is about to sing, when he hears that the lady guard has already beat him to it.
"Large eyes? Lighting? Love?" parrots the goblin. "Fumbus not know this song ". Fumbus points the guards out to the others and the humped camels out to Lost Child Seeker. "Maybe, Longshanks can make trade for less broken camel." he suggests.
Upon approaching the guards, Fumbus let's the taller party members do the speaking, though at the mention of having wayfinders, Fumbus removes his pack and begins to loudly rifle thhrough it looking to see if he somehow has been able to acquire one.
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It wasn't his usual environment, but JR made due with the trek through the sands. He'd spent most of his life growing up in and around Saringallow, and truth be told he was a bit uneasy around Fumbus. His father came to the town long before to help fight off goblins and now he's expected to work side by side with them? Even he has fought the ugly greenskins a few times in the forest, or when they'd get too close to town.
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He tries to let the comment about Elves slide from Tybalt, and mostly manages to do so "Horses aren't so bad if you get to know them. Elves on the other hand... not so much." He gives a wry smile and tosses a strange beetle he found on his pack at the bearded shortstack.
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"You guessed it. We're here to do just those things, and hopefully quickly and in the cool air underground. Have these other Pathfinders been here long?" Does seem a bit odd that they'd send two teams... wonder what's going on?
The officer eyes Tybalt and then JR.
»I’ve seen a lot, my friend. You’re not my first.
I have no idea of what you’re told or not. Seems you are just as functional in information flow as the Guard hierarchy!
Well, » she says, when you give her the papers.
»All seems in order.
And seeing as most of your workers left after a month of hard digging under the sun, you can go join your boss down in the cool shade! »
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Seeker dismounts Swift Runner and leaves him in the stables. Hopefully horses get along with camels, because Swift Runner is a bit out numbered. After he is sure that his horse is taken care of, he returns to his humanoid companions.
"What is this I hear of another pathfinder group already present?" He asks as he approaches the group. "I would think that Venture-Captain Balentiir would have mentioned that in our briefing." He adds.
Having failed to locate a wayfinder, Fumbus produces only a beetle that had crawled into his pack. He clamps down on it with dirty fingers, holding it between two of them as he listens to the exchange with the guard.
"Fumbus knows Venture-Captain mentioned eating..." offers Fumbus in a tone that suggests he may be trying to be helpful in jogging the Shoanti's memory. "Oh, and mentioned breakfast, too!"
His contribution to the conversation having been made, Fumbus notes, "Which is reminder, Fumbus hungry." The goblin brings the beetle up to his mouth and crunches down on it hard, before contunuing to chew it loudly.