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[color=orange]"Zornesssssk Dragonssssscale! aszzz I live and breathe-ssssssss!!!! I am honored to ssshare your table on thisssss day! our pathsss are finally crossssing and we ssshall honor both dragonzz 'n koboldzz ancessstorszz 'n ssspirits with new victorieszzz 'n glorieszz that will enssssue!!! I HAVE SSSSSSPOKEN! NOW DRINKSSS! "[/color]
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Mordant Maddox is a green scaled kobold dressed in a tacky looking great cloak with a red paper flower tucked into label. He looks around the room, counting two other kobolds.
"Well, it looks like the three out of the four or five kobolds in the last training class have been assigned to the same confirmation. I'm sure its just a coincidence. They wouldn't just put all the kobolds on the same mission, right? It's probably not on purpose. I bet any minute now, we're going to be seeing a non-kobold walk through that door."
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Indeed, a non-kobold comes through the door next. A halfling with wild hair and immaculate sideburns riding on a human sized wolf crosses the threshold. Both wolf and halfling stop, staring at the table full of kobolds.
The halfling grips his lance slowly but then the pair back just as slowly out of the tavern. The halfling looks up at the sign dangling over his head, then back into the tavern, then back at the sign.
Then, he shrugs and rides back in, going up to the bar. He stands up in the saddle and starts chatting up the buxom, comely barmaid (because what other kind of barmaid is there?) casting glances back at the kobolds.
Most of the conversation is too low to hear but at some point he says.
He contemplates them briefly then raise his mug in salute to the scaly heroes.
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If it wasn't a joke before, another True Dragon appears, this one wearing a suit of leather armor with a wooden shield. A couple of ants ride on her shoulders as she sets her bag down.
"Now don't get into any mischief. You can go play if you want to but understand that you are small and they will want to crush you." she offers to one of her shoulders.
As if chastised the ants stay where they are at.
"Gynezz. Apprentice Bugtalker of the Sewer Dragons."
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"I think I've heard that one. Doesn't it end with 'that's not the kind of hot dog I meant?'" the halfling says.
"I heard there was a group of kobolds who wanted to join our ranks. I take it you are them?" the halfling asks, moving over to a bar stool next to the wolf so that it can sit down.
Of course, that makes the wolf about the same height as the kobold when it does that. The canine eyes Mordant skeptically.
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Kaidynn almost fall out of his chair when Reggie strolls in. He fully retreats into the kitchen, yip-yap-yelling in fear at the sight of the knight... and wolf!
======================
Many minutes later...
++++++++++++++++++++++
The orange-scaled kobold pokes his head out of the kitchen's door frame. A cook puts a boots to his reptilian hindquarters to finalize the outward progression.
Tentatively, he gradually sneaks his way back to his table, well away from the bar where Mordant and Reggie idly chatter. Talking under his breath, he seems to be shooing flies away, and after a few moments, he settles and resumes his strange fermented drink, nodding to Zornesk and finally noticing the arrival of Gynnezz. He extends a hand to the newcomer, [color=orange]"Kaidynn heeeere... I think I ssssaw you beforrre, in the sewerszzzzzzzzzz yessssssssss? you friendsz of Massster Bugtalkerrrr yesssss?"[/color]
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[color=olive]"I was sent to learn more about the bugs outside the sewers. Whether that means I will be joining or just helping remains to be seen."[/color] Gynezz offers to the halfling tersely -- though she's maintaining her cool that is a pretty big wolf.
Her observations of the room are disrupted by the orange kobold acting oddly...
Eeesh. Over-react much? Don't you know that's how monsters and humans target you, because you stick out?
The olive-scaled bugtalker adjusts her cutlass then squints as she takes the offered hand. [color=olive]"Gynnezz. I'm the Bugtalker's apprentice. Hold on."[/color] She then turns to her left shoulder and murmurs for a few more moments.
[color=olive]"Sorry, one of them thought it'd be neat to taste your drink and I suggested it would be a bad idea."[/color]
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After taking a look at Kaidynn and Gynezz, Maddox chooses to keep sitting near the halfling.
"Well, I was hoping that I could find a wealthy Chelexian noble to be my patron; but considering that my last domicile was a sewer pipe, I would say the Pathfinder Society is a definite improvement. I'm just hoping that they're not sending us on a suicide mission. The fact that they're sending all the kobolds on the same mission together isn't a good sign, though."
Maddox finishes his drink and sets it down gingerly on the bar.
"So, is there any chance we could start this mission after sundown? I have a feeling that most of us here are night people."
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Rowdy looks at...and smells the gathered group of scaly two leggers with a great deal of curiosity. His best pal Reggie has just barely sat down on one of the four legged tiny beds when one of the creatures bolts.
Immediately Rowdy's ears and tail go up as he leaps to his feet, eyes focused on the moving wall that the creature disappeared behind. When things ran, it meant that you should chase them. Otherwise, why would they run?
He readied himself for his best pal Reggie to jump onto his back so they could go charging through the moving wall to get the creature.
After several seconds, though he looked up in confused hopefulness, only to see his best pal Reggie still talking to one of the other scaly two leggers.
He gave a hopeful half bark but only got a pat on the head for his troubles.
With a sullen sigh, he flopped down on the floor, head on forepaws and very deliberately NOT looking at his best pal Reggie or the scaly two leggers.
Until the orange one came back out. Immediately Rowdy sat up, watching it closely but casting a few hopeful glances at his best pal Reggie.
When it became evident they STILL weren't going to chase it, he let out a half growl, half groan grumbling sound and flopped down even more sullenly.
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"Careful what you wish for, friend. My original 'patron' was a Chelish nobleman. I had to run away in the night and leave most of my family and friends behind to get away from his 'patronage,'" Reggie replies, darkly, reaching down to give Rowdy a reassuring pat...though obviously to reassure himself as much as the wolf.
But just as quickly, there is a smile on his face, again. He shrugs eloquently. "You never know when they're going to ask you to set out. Sometimes, they tell you there's a time restriction of some kind and you get the job done without ever feeling the crunch, other times, you get the feeling there's no rush and then end up scrambling at the end to save a person, or village, or magical artifact," he says, philosophically.
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The newer arrivals get a nod, but the bugtalker isn't quite sure how to approach them, clearly reflected in her body language.
[color=olive]"I'm really hoping we can do our travel at night. It's much easier to see and far easier on the eyes."[/color]
Seeing the wolf's discomfort, Gynezz heads over and holds out her left hand for sniffing, then will wait a moment or two before giving pats and scritches. Carefully, though, because she's rather small compared to said wolf.
[color=olive]"Who'sa good puppy? You are!"[/color]
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Maddox frowns at the halfling knights remarks. "Well, I was hoping that I would find work in a, um, paying capacity. Good point though about the whole slavery thing. I thought they just enslaved halflings, but you never know. Maybe it would be safer to look for employment in a wealthy Kelishite household instead. Or with one of those white gloves."
Maddox acknowledges Gynnezz with a wave.
"That dog hasn't bitten me yet. You could pet him and see if you get your hand back. And...you're going for it. Braver kobold than me, I have to admit."
Maddox leans back in his stool, contemplating whether he wants another drink.
"I don't think this halfling is the one giving us our mission, but from what he's saying, we probably won't have much of a say regarding our traveling plans. Maybe they think us having to squint the whole time will prove our dedication."
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Rowdy looks up questioningly at his best pal Reggie as one of the scaly two leggers approaches. He's not reaching for his sharp shiny stick, though so Rowdy decides he shouldn't bite it.
It turns out to be a good decision as the scaly one gives him good scratches. His tail thumps between the bar and a stool and he creeps along closer to get more attention.
All the attention soon goes elsewhere, however.
The door to the Pig's Paunch flies open and Kreighton Shane comes striding in with a halfling woman half jogging to keep up.
The elven man walks right up to and onto a table near the one the kobolds have claimed.
“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.
The halfling at the bar takes the opportunity to tip his glass at the new Pathfinders, throw a familiar wink to Janira then hop on his wolf and pad out behind the Master of Scrolls.
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[color=olive]"Hello."[/color] is offered to the newest arrivals as the bugtalker tries to figure out how to address them and ask questions.
[color=olive]"At least they are sending someone with us that's the right size. Longshank noscales are tall but not very sneaky. Sneaky is important."[/color]
She then listens to the briefing intently. [color=olive]"Are there any ways to get to this cave either underground or during the dark times, because the burning ball of hate is mean?"[/color] she inquires eagerly.
[color=olive]"Yes, yes, you're a good boy, but you have to go now. Bye!"[/color] Gynnezz says to the wolf as it starts to head out with a final pat.
Janira shakes her head apologetically at Gynezz's question. “I'm afraid there's no time to wait or find another way. By foot, it will take nearly all of today and much of tomorrow to make the journey. I know maintaining such a stiff pace will be tiring, but we need to reach the caves at the height of the lunar cycle if at all possible.”
There is a hopeful smile on her face as she nods to Kaidynn's question. [b]"Probably not yet, but you wouldn't be the first hero to begin their journey in this way. The path begins here."
"We all have our skills and all our skills will be needed, Zornesk."
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!”
"I'm Janira Gavix and I joined the Pathfinder Society nearly 4 years ago after my coming of age celebration. I was The oldest of seven children, and I'm the only one to have come of age so far. I grew up in Eastgate, where Pop still works as a porter. He's got a dog cart and old Dilly still tows it around, transporting stuff from ships and shops to folks' homes."
"I was pretty eager to get to the Society and within weeks of turning 20, I enlisted with the Pathfinders Society. I wanted to see the world and sample all of the fine food it had to offer, but I quickly took to the Scrolls and its focus on learning and preserving knowledge. Now, my greatest hope is to have my work published in one of the Pathfinder Chronicles, and maybe go on to become a Pathfinder Chronicler."
"How about you guys? How long were you an initiate? The full 3 years, or did you get a field commission)? Where did you grow up? Are you all from Absalmo? Where have you traveled before coming to the Grand Lodge? Did you have a favorite class, training exercise, or teacher, there? How do you handle yourself in a fight?"
Despite the speed with which they need to travel, she seems intent on really getting to know her fellow Pathfinders.
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[color=olive]"I am Gynnezz, Apprentice Bugtalker to the Sewer Dragons Tribe of the True Dragon Snarl under the stone sky.[/color]
[color=olive]We Bugtalkers are responsible for taking care of the vermin and other things that sometimes show up in the sewers, either by talking them down or leading them away from the rest of the True Dragons.[/color]
[color=olive]Sometimes we help find food, but we're really not good with traps because of our focus. Bugs tend to have organization just like we do so it is sort of a natural fit.[/color]
[color=olive]The longshank softscales had me tag along with a bunch of other Pathfinders while researching some important lost papers that a gnome left behind before vanishing. They wouldn't let me talk to the bug and instead murdered it, they kept trying to get lost in deep woods and failing, then made an old cavern angry at them before fighting ghosts of Pathfinders past.[/color]
[color=olive]I do not know if that counts as 'field commission' but I've only been around for seventy-two hatching cycles I can remember."[/color]
There's a bit of a pause as the last questions are asked.
[color=olive]"My least favorite class is trapmakings. They would always use me as the traptester because I couldn't make mine work. It made me really glad to learn how to be a bugtalker because I don't know how long I would have lived testing traps all the time. As far as fighting? True bloods need to stick next to each other and push each other out of the way to make sure that nobody gets hurt because if someone gets hurt then you have to do their work until they get better."[/color]
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[color=orange]"Field commisssssssion for me, of courssssse! I been fetchhhhhing wine for Old Dreng for a while now... I sssssspeak to ansssssssessstorzzzzz and the the ancesssstorszzzz sssspeak to me! I'm no wine fetchhhh boy!! the leaderszzz of the SSSSssssssociety finally sssaw fit to reward me with a comisssion, and now, this misssssssssion will make it offfissssial! fear not, Mighty Janira! with me rideszzz and army of ancssssssssient kobaldszzzz, heroeszzzz all!"[/color]
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"Hmmmm...I might be the only Pathfinder here to have made it all the way through the training program. Then again, ever since I was a wee little hatchling with a dream in my heart and a spring in my step, I always knew I wanted to see more of the world than the sewers of Absalom. As soon as I heard the Pathfinders were ready to let kobolds sign up, I jumped at the opportunity. Hopefully I survive this mission and get a chance to actually see some of the world."
"I always wanted to be a bard, but I guess being completely tone deaf put the kabash on that dream. I I have been known to sling a nasty jest or too, but insult comedy is a dangerous profession to be in. I can usually talk my way out of trouble and if that doesn't work I have a few tricks up my sleeve."
"Dragon blood must flow strong in my veins, because I was a natural when it came to magic. I can toss acid in the face of anyone who dares to heckle me and if I need to get away, I have spells to makes the ground slippery and illusions appear out of thin air."
Janira listens closely as each of the kobolds tells a little bit about themselves. She nods at Gynnezz. "Sounds like you've done a couple missions for the Society, already. And I'm sure that, in some caves, someone who can talk to bugs will be useful."
"It seems like we all spend some time getting wine for Dreng. It makes you wonder how he's ever sober," she replies to Kaidynn. "Hopefully we won't need an army of heroes but it's good to know they're available if we need them."
"I can't sing either, Mordant. I find my only ability to inspire my companions is with my words. Although, a well placed barb can inspire those fighting with you and demoralize those you're fighting against. Are you also a Sewer Dragon or are you from a different tribe?"
She settles on Zornesk finally. "Well, we're not going too far, but you'll get a chance to travel outside of this city with us. And afterwards, you'll go all over the world, I'm sure."
[b]“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.”
"Does everyone have rope? I guess you don't really need light sources, since you can all see in the dark. What about food? A way to make fire, you never know when you'll need a fire. Any sources of healing? Alchemist’s fire or acid flasks? Antitoxins?"
"And let's not forget 'Report!' Does everyone have something to keep records with?" Ahe rummages in her pack and pulls out paper and writing utensils for anyone who needs it. "Even if someone else is taking notes, more perspectives equals more information."
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Gynnez considers the halfling's words.
[color=olive]"I just hope that the bugs I talk to want to listen. Sometimes they get really angry and just lash out, and it's sad when you have to put them down."[/color] she offers soberly.
[color=olive]"I have *this*!"[/color] the druid offers with a toothy smile as she holds up some shiny silk rope. [color=olive]"I can make sure water is clean and if we find nasty food I can make it edible. I hadn't picked up any fire-making stuff yet because I have to watch how much I'm carrying. It's also why I don't have any firebombs or acidpots or healing salves."[/color]
[color=olive]"How much is the writing going to weigh? I'm kind of balanced carefully here with my armor so I can't carry a lot more. Well, not if we want to get there in a night or two, at any rate."[/color]
"It's good to know that we have some diversity even with what looks like a homogeneous group. That's what the Pathfinders are about - sharing strengths from different people. 'Cooperate!'" Janira says to Mordant.
She nods to Gynnezz. "It's unfortunate that the same is true for humanoids. I would much prefer talking all our solutions out, but sometimes you run into people who just don't want to listen."
"Well, I have some of the sort of gear I'm asking about so I can share it if the time comes. As to the writing gear, I'm sure each of you can carry a single piece of parchment and one of these," she pulls out a clear tube with a point on one end and a viscous blue fluid inside.
"My gnome friend, Bic Papermate, made these. Inkpot and quill all in one." The halfling hands one and a piece of parchment to each kobold. "Let me know if you need more."
She looks around at the gathered kobolds again and a slow smile breaks on her face and she nods. "Well, if there's nothing else...?" she turns and leads the way out of the tavern.
The first phase of their Confirmation takes the Pathfinders through Absalom, leads across the Cairnlands, along a well-worn path that leads toward Diobel, through the wilderness surrounding the Kortos Mounts, and culminates at the cave entrance noted in Janira’s Confirmation report. The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident, and the long trek across the Cairnlands provides a great opportunity to discuss Master Shane’s class on the history of Absalom. Most of the journey is uneventful, but points out landmarks such as siege towers, distant mountains, or distinct flora and fauna along the journey. "That's the 4 Nation Tower of Doom that was launched against Absalom a couple centuries ago. It got that far then hit a hole and collapsed under its own weight....That western peak is said to hold the palace of the Harpy queen. Several expeditions have been sent to find it but with no success. Still, the rumors persist... Oh! A Cairn Bunny! A perfect example of wildlife adapting to its environment.
They're not aggressive but have developed the ability to eat carrion."
Nothing of interest encounters occur during the first day of travel and they spend a quiet night in the wilderness.
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, making all the kobolds more comfortable in the shade. 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.”
As they're walking along the trail, a pair of enormous insects spring out of the underbrush from a couple different directions. Not being fur or hair bearing, it's quite possible that the kobolds don't know what a flea is for that is apparently what these are since Janira says"
"Ew! Giant Fleas!"
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[color=Olive]"Hang on, don't hurt them, I might be able to talk them down!"[/color]
[color=Olive]"BBzzzzz zzz hmmmm hmmmm hmmm hmmmmm"[/color]
Things seem to be going pretty good for Gynnezz...at first. Then, at some point she says something that lands wrong and any good will she built up changes to ire.
It quickly becomes apparent that they are NOT Gynnezz's friends.
Gynnezz (already acted)
Mordant
Kaidynn
Fleas
Zornesk
The flea ahead of the party quite foolishly rushes at the kobolds. Despite its bouncing method of movement, Kaidynn is easily able to skewer it as it comes in, the impact rocking him, but not as much as the butt of his spear digs into the soil. It twitches a couple times on the weapon then goes limp and slides off, dead.
The one coming from the side charges at Zornesk. Mordant has readied himself for the attack and flings a ball of acid at it, striking it and making its carapace sizzle but not stopping it.
It just misses, mandibles sliding off armor.
Gynnezz (already acted)
Mordant
Kaidynn
Fleas
Zornesk
The offending insect splits like a red hot chili pepper as Zornesk steps up and attacks.
Silence reigns in the forest in the aftermath of the violence as all the nearby wildlife is spooked by the noise.
"Excellent job, everyone," Janira says, surveying the battlefield and her proteges' success.
She goes to Gynezz and rests a hand on the kobold's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm sure that's not how you wanted things to go, but unfortunately, sometimes we run into pe...opponents who have no interest in negotiating or who misunderstand our intentions."
"Let's get moving, folks. I'm afraid if we don't get there, tonight, we'll miss whatever's happening during the full moon."
Yet, the trail seems intent on stymieing any desire to rush. Trails are blocked by fallen objects, shortcuts are overgrown, and other minor delays that cost them time.
The party is in danger of falling hours behind unless someone with some outdoorsy skill can help them find the way.