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You recieve the following Missive From Evni Zongnoss in Ustalav.
The streets of Caliphas are bustling with activity due to an influx of refugees from the former nation of Lastwall. When you enter the Vodavani Lodge, you are met with a cacophony rising from dozens of Pathfinders discussing missions, sharing documents, and gathering supplies for their quests. At the center of it all is Venture- Captain Evni Zongnoss. Despite the destruction of her home lodge in the capital of former Lastwall, Vigil, Evni remains resolute in carrying out her tasks from her temporary headquarters in the Vodavani Lodge.
You wait with your fellow Pathfinders while the gnome Venture Captain finishes another group.
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Teja, a large khellid woman is the first to arrive at the gnomes office.
She is a bit of a sight, tall with with the fine khellid features. However her eyes are those that no khellid would have, and she moves with unusual grace - almost as if dancing.
The woman dresses in a scholar's robe, and someone looking at her hands would note the ink stains that seem to be an almost permanent feature.
An exercise in contracts is our Teja, however her smile is open and friendly... something else one wouldn't necessarily expect from a khellid.
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Arlo arrives shortly after the statuesque Kellid woman. Arlo is a rather tall fellow himself, topping just over 6 feet, but has a taut body. His blonde hair and deep blue eyes, along with his size would speak to some Ulfen blood in his heritage, but his speech and dress mark him as a Varisian. On each bicep, a tattoo of a stylized bull can be seen in dark, black ink. Another tattoo can be seen on the back of his right hand and looks like an arrowhead. His clothing is of earthen greens and browns, but a scarf he keeps tucked into his tunic is a bright if faded yellow with what looks to be a pattern in red silk thread. He carries a crossbow in his hands and a longsword on his hip. A battered leather pack now sits on the floor by his feet as he takes in his surroundings.
"Arlo Tempas, at your service."
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A short but burly goblin can be seen confidently moving through the crowd. With gauntlets strapped to both arms and a vicious chopping blade strapped to his back, he looks like at least he thinks he means business. Like most of his kin, he is bald with beady eyes. However, he attempts to stand talk to give an air of authority. From the number of scars visible, it is obvious that this goblin has had to prove his authority several times.
Approaching the two tall adventurers, he calls out, "Greetings, longshanks. I'm Loohi Loohi. I've never beens to this part of the world yet. Should be fun."
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Arlo returns the gracious bow with a flourish and a grin.
"Ah, it is so nice to see someone who knows our ways! I thank you for this. Unfortunately, I do not spend much time in what most would consider civilization. I am a scout and huntsman, and so rarely am I in the towns and cities, but I shall now keep my ears and eyes open for your friend!"
At the arrival of the goblin, the smiling forester suddenly becomes grim and guarded. With a very shallow bow, he greets the newcomer.
"Greetings Loohi Loohi."
He turns away from the goblin but keeps him within his prereferral vision and grips the stock of his crossbow a little tighter.
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Another goblin walks over to your group with her hair pulled back by a bandana. She is wrapped in scraps of rough animal hide and carries both a large club and axe at her back. Also, for some reason, she keeps sniffing the air like a child at a sweet shop. "I like Ustalav. Air smell tasty whole trip here." She looks over the group and says, "I am Ghostbiter. I here to keep you all safe."
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"Well... traditionaly I'm not sure about the sustenance you might get from trying to actually eat a ghost.." says Teja to the goblin.
To the scout she offers a wry smile. "Not a friend. Never met the man, but he is apparently my father. So I'll keep asking. Eventually we'll catch up." Though from the expression on her face, it is unclear how joyous a reunion that might be.
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A third goblin enters the hall , slowly, despite being already a bit late for the appointment.
She's as small as goblins are and looks quite buff, or is it the big fur coat over her shoulders that gives this impression. She wears a large brown hat partially hiding her ears, leather boots and gloves and a small wooden holy symbol of a golden mug. From her look, she seems to be a seasoned adventurer, with multiple javelins and even a spear at her side, a backpack, bandolier, belt pouch and scroll case filled with various tools and consumables. She gets next to the others without a word, leans against a wall, gets a pipe out of her belt pouch and starts putting some sort of herbs in it.
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Evni sends the other group up and looks up at you and smiles. “Ah, thank you for coming. Gather around over here, please”
Evni motions over to a nearby table upon which rests a parchment map stuck with miniature flag partly obscuring the label Lastwall.” “Apologies for the out-of-date cartography, but it’s the best we can do at this time. “The re-emergence of Tar-Baphon dealt a devastating blow to the Society, so we’ve been scrambling to consolidate resources. The Society is focusing on missions into the Gravelands for two reasons: to track down the whereabouts of Pathfinder agents who went missing when the undead hordes struck, and to recover the fragments of history and culture that yet survive. I believe you all should have received a letter from me containing your assigned destination.”
Evni points to a flag in the southeast portion of Lastwall. “Goldenflame was an idyllic place surrounding a college sponsored and supported by the church of Iomedae. Fortunately, most of the town was able to evacuate swiftly, but we know that some residents stayed behind out of a sense of civic duty to defend their home against evil.
“Goldenflame College is known for its documentation of the history of both southeastern Lastwall and the activities of the church of Iomedae in the region, as well as its collection of invaluable local curiosities accrued over time. Those relics and stories—if they can be recovered, then Lastwall can live on.”
Evni excuses herself and shortly returns with a bundle of paper. “These dossiers contain information on all known Pathfinder agents in the region surrounding Goldenflame. Although we must hold out hope, I cannot truthfully say I am optimistic. Nevertheless, closure is important, and we can properly mourn for their loss and celebrate their lives if we know their fates. Perhaps these documents could be of some use to you in this quest. I’ve also completed and signed travel documentation stating your reasons for being in the Gravelands. Present this document to the border crossing, and you can then be on your way.”
Evni walks over to a nearby bench to a relatively massive pack, where she begins sorting through its contents. She pulls out a bundle of sacks. “Here. These are for you to transport any items or—” she bows her head “—remains you might find I know it is a sad and gruesome task, but retrieving those fallen Pathfinders would bring closure to their loved ones.” Evni then closes the pack and shoulders it. “I’m also heading into the Gravelands myself. May Desna guide us all on our journeys. Hopefully we can find what we seek.”
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Neeba starts lighting her pipe while Evni speaks, smiling when she mentions bringing corpses. At the end of the briefing, she expels smoke, greenish smoke with a strange odor, and speaks with a strong accent from Irrisen:
"Finding missing persons, that won't change from my contracts. Don't worry, we'll bring them... dead or alive."
She grins, obviously pleased by the mission.
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Ghostbiter bounces up and down at the idea of going into the Gravelands. She chatters at a small doll in a dress made from wheat stalks as if telling it a tale. She stops as if thinking for a moment before asking, "What if Pathfinders are now Tar-Baffoon's Pathfinders? We make them really dead and bring back or just leave be?"
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Loohi listens without making much of an expression. This mission is a little out of his comfort zone, yet being a Pathfinder in general is. He steps forward with his question, "What ifs all these peoples are dead. We can't possibly bring back all their remains? Is there a certain form of remain that is acceptable to returns with?" From the look on his face, Loohi is definitely trying to see how this could be physically possible.
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Walking in right before the briefing starts is a female gnome. She stands a mighty 3'2" and might be over 80 pounds soaking wet. She wears sturdy travel clothes topped with a cloak so dark red it is almost black. Other than a long spear and a dagger you see no other weapons. She has shoulder length dark blue hair and pale skin. She smiles and says "Greetings. My name is Zallarra. Nice to meet you all!"
She then settles back as the venture captain walks in.
After the briefing, "So we seek to reclaim knowledge and find our people. Understood. I assume the undead menace is still int hat area and will be a danger to us?"
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Ghostbiter shrugs at Arlo's disregard, "Pathfinders hire me to bite tasty ghosts. This make me happy. I no care what others think as long as I get to bite tasty ghosts." She grabs her bag which has an odd doll of woven wheat stalks sticking out of it that didn't appear to be there earlier. "I have all supplies I need. We go find cart and stupid horse."
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After some time browsing the dossiers, Neeba raises her head and addresses the Venture Captain:
"The Pathfinders we're supposed to retrieve, they are all... high profiles? Mighty gladiator, noble, wizard, priest, bard... There was no beginners in Lastwall? No commoner? Attendant? Administration employee? Janitor?"
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Evni answers some of your concerns.
“Be on the lookout for any religious texts and historical records—hopefully the troops of Tar-Baphon have overlooked them. You might also find items of cultural or religious significance: things that Goldenflame could be remembered by.”
When you mention mounts, Evni shakes her head. “Unfortunately, the Society is stretched thin at this point in time. Goldenflame is not far from here, though, so a round trip should be possible in a single day. Also considering the current demand, near dead nags are going for over 50 gold a piece.”
You do recall that, Goldenflame’s chapel functioned as a religious institution and the town hall, so historical records concerning its citizens and events were stored there.
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The gnome smiles. "[/b]Pick any undead. It will be there, most likely more powerful due to the Tyrant's power. However, Tar-Baphon’s legions are constantly patrolling and are mighty indeed, so I recommend avoiding fights with those troops. Try to identify the paths the undead patrols normally take and travel elsewhere. Covering your tracks would be wise as well. Although I would like you to be as thorough as you can in your investigation, do keep in mind that spending too much time in the Gravelands increases your likelihood of being found, so don’t linger.[/b]”
"I have other matters to attend, you can grab some supplies here, but I suggest heading out quickly"
With that she dismisses you and then summons a scout and starts getting their report.
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If noone takes them, Neeba puts the dossiers into her backpack. She also empties her pipe and put it back to her pouch before speaking to everyone:
"Well, I guess this is it. By the way, I'm Neeba, Neeba Druska . I'm more used to follow tracks than to cover mines, but I can try. Could be good to make a quick table turn to know who's able to do what? It may help to organize ourselves."
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Neeba scratches her head and laughs:
"You guys are thorough! Personally, I have some mastery of primal magic, that I mostly use for healing. And I can wield a few weapons quite well. And, of course, all the skills needed to hunt preys: Finding information, following tracks, sneaking to the target and disabling it!"
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When leaving the lodge, a strange flying creature reaches for Neeba and starts flying just above her. It looks like some plantlike creature, using its large leaves to fly, with a big red flower on top of what seems to be its head.
"This is Rose." says the goblin if anyone asks or just looks at the creature.
During the trip, Rose will fly next to Neeba most of the time. She doesn't use it as a scout unless necessary, as she's not at all stealthy.
For the hill, Neeba says:
"I can send Rose to look from above, if you want."
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Arlo looks at the goblin and all of a sudden the poorly hidden anger and distrust bleed out of his features with a long sigh.
"My apologies to you all. I had thought I was over these...feelings, but it seems I am not. I was set upon by a number of goblins when I was a small boy and since that time..well...I have not been comfortable in their presence...and with so many of you on this mission...well it brings back some rather bad memories."
The large man seem embarrassed by both this admission and his actions.
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"Best we all get over these things before we stray too far into the undead realms." agrees Teja.
"Warriors must be able to rely on each other. As do hunters. And ideally scholars. Though the amount of damage a pen to the back can do is considerable."
Once the group starts working around the block, she joins in.
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Ghostbiter, the oddball that she is, is a bit confused by Arlo's story. "You not tasty ghost or skellington. Those good to chase. Little people cry. Crying annoying. Better to chase should-be-but-not-deads. They fight back... and tasty. As longshanks say, dinner and show." She begins to climb the hill.
GM Aerondor
Teja Khellekdottir
GM Gustavef
Arlo Tempas
Loohi Loohi
Neeba Druska