Hmm's Half-Elf Absalom Initiation Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

You arrive just outside the Grand Lodge. People are streaming in to the doors, and everyone is as excited as if they are headed into a big party. A little gnomish bard with green hair is checking off people's names as they go in. She looks up at you, surprised. "Four half-elves? Are you all from the same family? Because I wish my family would take an interest in the Pathfinder Society. It's a tremendously wonderful way to evade the bleaching, you know!"

"My name's Pip, by the way. Were any of you in my Pathfinder paperwork seminar? I'm from the Envoy's Alliance legal defense team. We're here to help you!" She hands you all business cards and looks into your faces, beaming.

Here's your chance to introduce yourselves in character to everyone.

A half-elf who looks much more human than elven steps forward. He looks to be in his early to mid thirties. His scale mail is old but well maintained - or perhaps just untried.

"Ravant. Friends call me the old dog. Pleased to meet you."

He takes the business card and slips it into a pouch on his bandoleer without really looking at it.

"I doubt we're related, unless Mother was much better at keeping secrets than she appeared."

He pauses and looks around. "Anyone know where we're supposed to report?"

Tihun looks around the exterior of the Grand Lodge with a bemused expression. This place was very different from the Magaambya Academy, chaotic and filled with people of all walks of life.

This, this is where my stories shall begin.

The dark-skinned half-elf chuckled lightly at the chipper gnome's questioning. "No no my friend, as far as I am aware I am an only child." Tihun turns to Ravant with a mischievous grin, her golden cape flung dramatically to the side. "Unless your mother paid a visit to Mwangi some years ago? Perhaps I should call you Brother just to be sure!"

"But in all seriousness, I do believe we have met Pip. Your seminar was certainly enlightening about some of the aspects of the Pathfinders... legal needs." Tihun punctuates this by causally slipping out an identical copy of Pip's business card.

The well-muscled blonde half-elf in her northern hides looks a bit perplexed and slightly dismayed at the gnome's mentioning of paperwork, "Were we supposed to bring lot's of paperwork? I don't think I received any."

She takes the proffered card, tucks it into a belt pouch, and shrugs thinking, Legal services? Who leaves witnesses around?

She looks at the others as if momentarily actually wondering if they are related, wises up, and replies, "I don't think so. Perhaps when father was off raiding sometime..."

Looking around at the masses of chaotic "humanity" rushing about she wistfully recalls the cold north and the distinct lack of too many beings.

Pip smiles. "Well, I'm here because I got a note from Janira. She's been trying to get the word out to all the initiates. Did you folks get one of these?"

She fishes out a note:

Pathfinders,

I'm looking forward to seeing you there! —Janira Gavix, Pathfinder Society Head Initiate

"Anyway, meeting people is important!" Then Pip ushers you inside and points. "Janira is the little halfling over there!"

★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★

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.

Whom do you want to approach first? The half-orc woman in the pirate hat, the dark-skinned half-elf, or the Taldan man?

"Hello Janira Gavix. I am Tihun and it is a pleasure to meet you." After offering the halfling woman her hand to shake, Tihun took a chance to look at some of other party goers.

Naturally, her eye was drawn to the half-orc woman serving punch. The captain's hat that rested on her head all but shouted of interesting tales that the half-elf bard would be remiss to let go unheard. "Drinks, you say? Well, I'm certainly not one to deny free food or drink if offered."

Waving to her new compatriots join her, Tihun made her way to the punch bowl. "Greetings Captain, how have the seas treated you and yours? And, more importantly, how is the punch tonight?"

Ravant follows Tihun over to the Captain, nods respectfully and waits for her answer - but will accept punch if offered.

Serane follows Tihun over to the captain handing out drinks, takes the proffered drink and introduces herself, "Thank you for the drink captain. My name is Serane, I'm very pleased to meet you."

Continuing a bit hesitantly, "I hope its alright to walk up and introduce myself to people I don't know, I'm a bit unused to the southern customs. Who might you be? I'm always fascinated to hear about the sea. I'd love to hear how you fit into the society and what your adventures have been."

Realizing she may have gone a bit overboard, "Not that I want to monopolize your time or think I have any right to hear all of that, but seeing a naval person, I couldn't help myself."

A bonus hero point goes to Tihun, for breaking the deadlock and moving the story forward! Nice bit of opening roleplay, too!

As you approach, the half-orc is chatting boisterously with a well-groomed, clean-shaven man of Qadiran descent, who's trying very hard not to laugh as she continues the story "So there we were," she spreads her sturdy hands wide. "Kreighton Shane had pixies pulling on his elven hair, and he looked so pained and undignified. Had I not been carrying a drunken selkie on my back, I would have rescued poor miserable Kreighton. But that drunken selkie had too many limbs all groping for a hand hold, and..." She continues on with a story that involves winning a favor from the fey, and negotiating Pathfinder exploration activitites.

"Oh sure! Don't be shy! Come up, come up!" As you come forward, she pours you drinks. "Oh, look Aaqir, new initiates! I'm Calisro Benarry, from the Horizon Hunters faction. We carry on the proud tradition of ascending the highest peaks, plumbing the darkest depths, and seeing what lies over the next hill. We're all about exploration and bringing back tales of our exploits!" She looks dubiously at the punch she's pouring, and then whispers, "Do you want me to spice up that beverage?" She pulls out her hip flask, and wiggles it meaningfully over your fruit punch.

The Qadiran holds out a hand, and says in a low and mellow voice. "I am Aaquir Al-Hakan, a retired faction head; I still keep my hand in from time to time." Aaqir tells you he has decided the time's right to step back from coordinating adventures to instead focus on running his business and spending more time with his husband Emir and their three daughters. "I'm maintaining my connection to the Society so as to serve as a steady supplier of adventuring goods.'

If you would like to impress Aaquir, you can try to do so with a Diplomacy, Society, Guild Lore, or Mercantile Lore skill check. As always, I give bonuses for great roleplay!

Serane looks down at the punch offered by the captain and whispers, [lower]"Who makes punch without a kick? Please make it proper punch."[/lower]

She takes the spruced up punch and drinks some, "Thank you Captain Calisro, that's better! It's a pleasure to meet you."

Turning to the Qadiran ex-faction head, Serane will shake his hand and introduce herself, "It's very nice to meet someone as distinguished as yourself. Were you the head of the Horizon Hunters? Or did you lead a different faction?"

"I myself am obviously just starting out and excited to learn of the deeds of the society and start to pitch in where I can. I came here to help others and make the world a better place. I know that sounds like the naivety of youth speaking and some of it is. But I'm not going to let the seeming impossibility of the task before me stop me from achieving it." she smiles a bit self-deprecatingly.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Tihun laughs along with the captain's story, happy that her intuition wasn't wrong about how entertaining Calisro would be. Although she had to decline the good captain's offer of mixed drinks. "I'm afraid I am a creature of overindulgence. I keep my harder drinking to the taverns. At least then, I can slip the staff some coin to carry my drunken self to a room."

As Serane spoke with the man named Aaquir, Tihun couldn't help but be drawn into the discussion of her new half-elven friend. "Ah, but isn't naivete the unspoken right of the youthful? To see the world as it should be and to strive for it? Although, I guess, we youth do need to heed a lesson or two from those wiser than us. I'm sure you've, on occasion, had to reign in more than one youth's ambitions with your wisdom. Am I wrong Sir Al-Hakan?"

If possible, I'd like to Aid Serane's roll.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Sekhem comes rushing along late--
Oh no, oh no
--and tries to work her way through people moving around.

"Hello, hello," she says, looking at the business card. "Pip? Good to meet you."
She curtsies.
"Oh, no, I am sorry I missed your seminar. But Ms. Westry has us training a lot. That is why I am-- LATE! Oh, my, I am late!"

She scurries off without even a good-bye.

Then comes rushing back: "Excuse me, where am I supposed to--
--Janira? Who is--
--The little halfling over there? But why--
--This note will explain all? Well... thank you!"

Bidding Pip good-bye, this time, Sekhem slows down and reads the note as she walks over to the little halfling, surround by three strong looking... half-elves?

By the time she reaches the halfling lady, the other three have all gone to see some pirate lady.

"Hello, ma'am. Are you Janira Gavix, Head Initiate of the Pathfinder Society?"

Catching her breath as she listens to Janira's bubbly introduction, she curtsies and heads over to where the other three went.

You see a very short and frail looking Osiriani young woman approaching you.
Her dark skin and black eyes are a striking contrast to her fine sky-blue silk clothes, with gold stitched hems.
She wears a very elegant headdress, with a beautiful silver ornament in it: a long feather, with a blue enamel motif.
(fine clothing & my silver Holy Symbol)

She smiles at you, and seems very endearing and pleasant--
--but bangs into a tray, sending some snacks flying!

"Oh my, oh my!"
She stoops down and tries to help the waiter recover the food.
Then looks at him, not knowing what to do with it.

The waiter just takes it and leaves, mumbling about wasted food.

Sekhem turns to take the last few steps towards you-- when she realizes she is still carrying a supple leather satchel over her shoulder, with a scroll case sticking out of it, and a silk bandolier around her waist, with various medical needles and tools sticking out.
She unties the bandolier and tries to stuff it in the satchel, managing pretty well, then she removes the satchel and kicks it under a side-table.

Before smiling as she finally comes up to you.

"Hello, excuse me for being late, I was advised to be sure to spend some time getting to know everyone, thus I came to see the comrades I believe I am supposed to be with" - she nods to the three half-elves.
She curtsies before the person with the pirate hat.
"So, good-day, admiral, I am Corporal Sekhem, of the Ruby Prince's 73rd Light Chariot Brigade - may Ma'at protect Khemet III - and have been detached to undergo training with the illustrious Pathfinder Society!"

Seeing a compatriot from the Golden Road, she also curtsies before Aaquir Al-Hakan. addressing him in Kelesh: "May the Dawnflower shine over your every action."

Ravant gratefully accepts the punch, and at the offer of a the flask says "A small amount, please.

Taking the goblet, he raises a toast. "Far Horizons." In a more normal voice, he continues. "Captain, your fellow faction members in the lodge were most persuasive. Though I have to say after a decade of tramping up and down the same trade route, I didn't take much persuading."

He taps the sheath of the katana strapped across his back with a braided cord. "I'd say the Kitsune was going to be hard to top, but I suspect things are just going to get stranger from here?"

On a completely side note, in my youth I worked out how to wear and draw a full-sized katana from a back sheath. Braided cord is actually significant, but it works.

Diplomacy, probably to look foolish: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Serane nods along with Tihun, agreeing with what she said, "I've definitely learned that my parents knew more than I gave them credit for. I also have seen how the world wearies some people as they see more of it. For me, I want to stay fresh eyed and open for anything and I plan to keep my idealism and naivety healthy and well nurtured."

Hmm hmm..., Sekhem clears her throat.
Since neither of the pale-skinned half-elves pay her any attention, Sekhem, hopes the darker skinned one - Mwangi, maybe? - will notice her, so she may introduce herself.

"Yes? Oh, you must the last member of our little quartet. My apologies for not welcoming you sooner. I sometimes find myself entranced with the sound of my own voice. So, please excuse my rudeness." Tihun bows dramatically before offering her hand to the Osiriani woman. "I am Tihun. It is a pleasure."

Sekhem bows deep: "Oh, but your voice is rich and deep and with a sound like a desert stream on pebbles of crystal!
Well met, Tihun, I am Sekhem of Osirion."

She looks around, and moves in closer: "Are we supposed to do something special here?"

Calisro whispers back to Sekham, "Thanks, loves. You've already done it. I wanted you to entertain my guest, and so ye have." The boisterous Captain provides a kick to Serane's cup, and then let's Aaquir answer questions.

Aaquir smiles. "Oh no, I was the head of the Exchange, a mercantile faction within the Society. But last year we had a reorganization, and decided that it was time for new factions, like the Horizon Hunters, here. May the Dawnflower shine over all of you." With that, Aaquir nods and withdraws to meet other colleagues.

Calisro beams. "Good job, all of you!". She laughs and slips you a small, unmarked hip flask. “It's a pick-me-up for when you really need to get back on your feet.” The flask is filled with red liquid.

Tihun recognizes that it's a minor healing potion.

Also Aid Another is more complicated in Pathfinder 2. You need a roll of a 20 to aid, so that is something to keep in mind. Probably better to roll for yourself!

Then Calisro leans forward. "After me, you'll want to visit with all the other major faction heads. So... let me ask you all to help me out with a mission AFTER the party. Now, I've made some weird friends over the years. One of the weirdest—a long-lived naga with unparalleled occult knowledge—was unjustly accused of a crime, punished with the Charge of the Gorgon, and left petrified in Westgate." Calisro frowns. "Absalom's idea of justice is a TERRIBLE thing at times. I've bribed someone to get permission to restore my friend, but it'll look a lot more official if a third party takes care of the details, and you lot are a perfect fit." She pulls out another vial, this one filled with a bluish grey ointment. "See this? It's a greater salve of antiparalysis. My friend Perindal and I, we're counting on you." She puts the vial in Serane's hands. "I'm giving this to you with explicit instructions that it be used only on the target. Can ye do this?"

Also, who do you want to visit next? The dark-skinned half-elf? A storytelling dwarf? The Taldan man? You decide!

Sekhem looks at the dark-skinned elf, wondering if he is from Osirion?

Sekhem's curiosity will not be denied! After the team says their farewells to Calisro, they move towards the dark-skinned half-elf. She's rather lovely, covered in both flowers and face-paint. Beside her is a glowing aasimar woman with violet eyes and natural golden patterns on her face.

"Oh, you must be new Pathfinders! Hello, I'm Fola Barun, head of the Envoy's Alliance. We're the faction who is dedicated to helping other Pathfinders, providing them the resources and materials they need to succeed!" She nods to Tihun. "So good to see one of our newest recruits! How are you doing, Tihun?" Fola's accent has the musical cadence of those who hail form the mwangi expanse. "Can you introduce me to your friends?"

The aasimar woman with her beams, the golden patterns on her skin catching the light. "Two of these Pathfinders recently joined my faction." She looks to Sekham and Serane. "Sekham and Serane likely know who I am, but for the rest of you, I'm Valais Durant, of the Radiant Oath. A group of Pathfinders saved me from a fate that was beyond enduring, and since then I've dedicated my life to paying that forward. Thank you for answering our call. Tell me about yourselves? What do you have to offer?"

If you wish to impress Valais, you can use Crafting, Medicine, or any Lore skill as long as you use it to present a plan to assist those in need.

Sekhem's curiosity is sated, but what she sees goes beyond what she expected.
First she is quite amazed by lovely flower and face-painted elf--"That is so pretty, ma'am!"

"Oh, helping other Pathfinders, how kind of you!"
She then glances to Tihun, waiting to be introduced before continuing.

But when the golden hued aasimar, whom Sekham had not recognized, turns out to not only be her faction leader, but to also know her name, Sekham is quite overwhelmed.

Offer? What do I have to offer? Come on, think of something, girl...

Sekham curtsies before Fola Barun, and then Valais Durant: "Oh, dearest leader, I... my mother is surgeon in the palace. The palace of the Pharaoh. I mean--"
Medecine, Trained: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Sekham feels at a loss, so she takes a deep breath--
Hero Point reroll Medecine, Trained: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 6 + 1 = 23
(the +1 is from Promotional Vestment Boon)
--collects her thoughts, and tries again:
"I am Corporal Sekhem of the 73rd Light Chariot Brigade, where I served as a Field Medic, learning how to tend to wounds in battle, and I have come to use this experience as a Society Member, and bring assistance to my fellow Pathfinders. As a cleric of Ma'at, the Feather of Truth--"
--she touches the feather in her headdress--
--'I hope my healing will be like a Light in the Shadows!"
That last being the Faction's motto

She takes a step back and wipes her forehead...

Ravant bows to Valais.

"Ravant, milady. I'm afraid what I have to offer the society is my sword, and a willingness to use it." He pauses for a moment.

"My tale is less grand than a fate beyond enduring. I spent about fifteen years guarding caravans on the trade routes in Taldor, and in our first real engagement my whole unit got turned into chutney. A group of Pathfinders came along before I was totally gone, patched me up and convinced me my sword would be better used in the Society's service.

"I'm about as experienced a Scout as you'd expect, and know something of how to set up a fight, but this old dog is still planning to learn a few new tricks."

Scouting Lore: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

"I'm doing magnificently! Ever since I have joined the Pathfinders, and the Envoy's Alliance in particular, I have yet to suffer boredom. As for my compatriots..." Tihun smiles brightly before pointing to each of her comrades with a flourish.

"The strapping, and really only, man of our little troupe is Ravant or Old Dog to his friends. I've taken to calling him Brother as there is a slim, almost nonexistent chance that we are related. And I'm nothing if not a believer in the improbable. But nevertheless, I a look forward to when I can witness his fighting prowess for myself!" The bard winks at the Ravant before moving onto the next person.

"Sekhem of Osirion is the one currently attempting to hide how nervous she is. But this humility no doubt belies great divine power entrusted to her from Ma'at!" Tihun pats the cleric's shoulder as she passes by her.

"This is Serane, a woman of great strength and greater character. No doubt many a foul villain will fall to her righteous blade!" Tihun taps her knuckles against the warrior-woman's bicep as she steps a few paces away before finally turning back to the assembled group.

"And for those who don't know me, I am Tihun of Nantambu. A once proud member of the Magaambya Academy, but now simply a proud dropout. I seek to write my story upon this world, so that others too may learn that life is a story worth reading!" Tihun ends her introduction with an exaggerated bow, her dreadlocked ponytail falling to one side of her face as a result.

Serane takes the vial from the captain and slips it into an interior pocket, "I promise it will only be used on your friend. I assume she is the only naga imprisoned this way? I would hate for there to be two and not know which one to free."

"Thank you Tihun for the kind compliments, I don't know if I fully deserve them." she looks touched by TIhun's words.

The strong, blonde half-elf turns to Valais, "It is an honor to meet the head of my order. As for what I offer, I don't have much. I am just starting out and don't have an illustrious background or extensive experience like my companions," she says while nodding towards the others.

"All I have is a true heart and the desire to make the world a better place for all. From my youngest age, I can recall loving art and I passionately want to prevent the beauty in the world from dying out. I do have the blade of my goddess and am willing to use it if there are no other options. And I will not hesitate to protect those in need." she declares with the impression of a deep conviction in her voice.

Art Lore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Here’s my Academia lore check:
Academia Lore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Both Fola and Valais are delighted with you. "With recruits such as these, we are in good hands!"

Fola looks to all of you. "I believe that we can resolve most situations with the spoken word. Strong or deceptive words are still by far better than physical blows." She hands you a silvery vial. "To back up my claim, I provide you with a lesser silvertongue mutagen."

"I also have a mission for you, if you will take it. A recent Pathfinder Society recruit who's still in training lost a relative who tried sneaking into a famed haunted house to learn its secrets. The house has since been slated for demolition, given the number of injuries and casualties that have occurred there. I have promised the recruit that I would make sure their relative was laid to rest properly, but I needs you to explore the site and retrieve the body. The easiest way to identify the victim is by the spiral-shaped religious symbol of Pharasma that he wears. Can you do this sometime in the next day or so?"

Taldan man or storytelling dwarf for your next visit?

Sekhem looks to her comrades: "Well, the deceased must be laid to rest properly. That is important. I am quite sure we all agree on this, and would be most happy to do so!"

Tihun takes the silvery vial and tucks it away for safe keeping.

"Thank you, Lady Barun. I too feel that words are the preferred, and less painful way, to deal with a situation. And you needn't worry, with the help of my companions, retrieving the remains of this servant of Pharasma will be dealt with swiftly."

Having met all your own faction heads, it's time to see who else is at this party.

Your party walks toward the stern looking Taldan man, who appears to be having some sort of conversation with lizard man. "Dammit, Urwal, now that you are a faction leader, you must take matters seriously! You can't keep breaking into Kreighton Shane's office to drop off stacks of Pathfinder Chronicles riddled with corrections and commentary, rearranging disordered collections, or drawing insightful astrological maps on the ground outside of the Lodge!"

The lizardman's eyes widen. "I can't? You must be mistaken, Eando. I broke in to Kreighton's office only yesterday, so I surely can." He looks down at his claws. "Yes, my claws are still in working order, Eando. You must be mistaken!"

From the names, you realize that the taldan man is Eando Kline, head of the Vigiliant Seal faction, while the lizard man is the ever curious and eco-conscious Urwal, head of the Verdant Wheel. It sure looks like Eando would love someone to distract Urwal away from him right now.

You can impress Urwal with Nature, Survival, or any Lore skill about a specific terrain. I will also allow other skills here if you apply them creatively to suit the situation.

Sekhem realizes that things here are just like at the Pharaoh's court--
"“May Ma'at protect Khemet III!”, she whispers
--filled with intrigue and boredom!

She is about to intervene, but then glances to her comrades.
How will they handle clawing the lizard-man away?

Serane suppresses a chuckle at the description of the lizardman's activities and Urwal's fake misunderstanding and thinks, Those all sound like reasonable activities to me. He's obviously helping.

She looks at Sekhem, raises an eyebrow, and slightly shrugs as if asking what they should do?

Ravant looks at the Taldan, and judging him to be a bit irritated he decides to try to divert Urwal away.

"Come, master Urwal, how useful is it to break in if you're just going to admit it like that. After all, didn't the great Tien scholar say 'The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so he cannot fathom our real intent?' And didn't he also say about treating our enemies and friends..." Ravant pauses, scratches his chin thoughtfully, and finally shrugs. "It was on the tip of my tounge, something he said in his northern journals..."

Deception, Create a diversion, to get Urwal pontificating: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Tihun quickly strides to the lizardman with a grin on her face. "Sir Urwal, I am so glad I have been given the chance to meet you. I've heard you are one of the most learned of the Pathfinders, especially in finding details that others have over looked. I was hoping you could aid me in something of cultural significance. You see, in my youth, my father taught me a dance to beg Gozreh for rain in times of drought. However, I must admit that I am not a devout follower of the Wind and the Waves, so parts of the dance elude my memory. I'll preform what I remember of the dance. If you would be so kind as to inform me of what is lacking, I would be truly grateful!"

After moving so that to watch her dance Urwal would have to look away from Eando, Tihun begins the dance.

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Sekhem watches Tihun's dance... before, all of a sudden, gasping:
"Has this dance been correctly reported in the Pathfinder Chronicles? I am not sure. I think there was a report in Chronicle #722, but was it accurate? Maybe someone could check... but who?"

Academia Lore, Trained: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Urwal is stunned. "You're right. It's possible Chronicle #722 is inaccurate...." The lizard man grabs some snacks from a passing waiter, and slips away into the crowd.

Eando raises an eyebrow. "Well done! You're new recruits, yes? And clearly you think on your feet. I have something that people with your social skills could put to good use!"

He provides you with a list of individuals he goes to for information across Absalom. "Just drop my name in conversations with those individuals to get the best scoop on current events."

This grants you a +2 circumstance bonus to a single Diplomacy check to Gather Information during this scenario.

Then he pauses again. "I also have a mission that you might be interested in, if you're willing to pursue it in the next couple days?" He looks around to see if you are interested, and continues. "Some smugglers were using a recently exposed ship in the Flotsam Graveyard to smuggle goods into the city from Nex—including creatures, apparently. One of their 'goods' broke free of its containment, and the smugglers been looking for someone to recapture it." Eando frowns. "I'm not keen on letting the smugglers regain their missing 'cargo', as the creature is equally likely to be a slave or a menace.

[b]"Your goal is to locate and identify this strange creature, and then determine what its fate should be. I'm empowering you as a group to make that decision, because I don't believe you should trust an uninformed central authority to make that call." He sighs. "You met Urwal, right? Sometimes valuable Pathfinder recruits can come in unexpected packagers. I'd hate for the Absalom Council to petrify someone worth saving."

As you take your leave of Eando, you can hear the storytelling dwarf telling an old dungeon story to a strangely beautiful woman with slate gray skin and flowing white hair. The woman looks like a statue come to life, but with an easy manner and very human laughter. "Oh my goodness! So what did you do then?"

"Well," the dwarf said, spreading his arms wide "when I realized that the dragon was hungry for new experiences, I said, 'I bet you're hungry for something better than orcs and rats and stuff.'" He leans forward, conspiratorially. "We'd jest cleared out a nest o' blood-sucking fiendish birds, and so I offered it a taste of demon pot pie. Puttin' me bardic lore to use, I recalled the recipe for the crust, and we already had the flour and the lard that we bargained for along the way. An what else were we goin' to use those hot chilies for? I baked the pie o' me life, and the dragon called it the best thing he'd ever tasted and let us go, so long as we promised to keep sending him pies!"

The stone woman claps, and then looks your way. "Gorm, we have company."

"So we do! Come here, new initiates! I'm Gorm Greathammer o' the Grand Archive Faction, and this here oread vision o' loveliness is Sorrina Westyr, the Society's Master o' Spells!" The dwarf finds seats for all of you. "Tell me a bit 'bout yourselves. Where are ye from? Why did ye become a Pathfinder?"

Sekhem salutes the Dwarf: "I am Corporal Sekhem of the 73rd Light Chariot Brigade, from Osirion.
I serve as a Field Medic.
Through contacts the Radiant Oath has with Osiriani healers, I was detached to undergo training with the illustrious Pathfinder Society, under--"
Sekhem kneels down to the floor, and lowers her head before the stone woman:
"-- Sorrina Westyr, Master of Spells. She who is made out of pure desert sand!"

Ravant raises his goblet to the dwarf, still containing almost all of the punch Captian Calriso poured. "My tale is about the most boring possible. A group of pathfinders came along just in time to keep me on the right side of dead, and as my former employer was not so lucky, I applied and was accepted for training. So I'm just another sword hoping to be of some use."

Tihun bows to the two senior Pathfinder members as she takes the seat offered by Gorm.

"I am Tihun, formerly of the Magaambya Academy, but now a simple dropout that wishes to experience life to its fullest! It is a pleasure to meet you both."

Serane takes a seat and listens as the others recount their tales, "I have been to no academy nor served in any army. I am, from a young age, an art lover and have wanted to see more of the world's great art."

"I thought serving my goddess Shelyn would be an excellent way to see and preserve art. While training to serve, I have learned more about the injustices of the world and know that I am meant to right what is wrong and serve the common good." she says with a certain fervor in her voice.

Adding with a little sheepishness, "My people are not know for their refinement or appreciation of the finer things in life. When I had the opportunity to come here and see this amazing city, I leapt at the chance. Now that I'm here, I wish to put my heart and soul into helping others and the Pathfinder Society has helped so many."

Sekhem smiles at Serane: "Art is so important!
I would love to know how to create art, to make statues of our beloved Ruby Prince--
[smaller]May Ma'at protect Khemet III![/smalller]
--or to sculpt murals depicting the valiant deeds of the 73rd Light Chariot Brigade and other Osiriani regiments!"

Serane replies, "I love statues and grand paintings as well. They are what I came to see. My artistic skill is more limited and does not stand out on its own. I craft weapons and armor. Not only the form may be changed in many different ways but the etchings, engravings, and inlays all go into making an aesthetically pleasing and artistic result."

She sighs, "Of course many people just slap together pieces any old way and make them look shabby. I prefer to take pride in my work."

Sekhem eyes Serane up, trying to see what she might have worked on with her own equipment.

As you are all chatting about art and how you became Pathfinders with Gorm Greathammer and Sorrina Westyr, the halfling Janira comes running up! She's dragging two other Pathfinder novices with her, a dark-haired half-elf with a grave expression, and a halfling with sepia skin and freckles on her cheeks.

"Oh, I hope I'm not interrupting, but I thought you might want to meet these other novices, Alaize and Lyric! They got hazed -- you know how it is -- by someone who thought it would be funny to give some wrong directions to the party." Janira, usually tolerant, scowls for a moment, and then looks cheerful again. "But don't worry, that jerk Anders has been sent back to the barracks with a demerit. We cooperate in the Pathfinder Society, you know!"

"Of course, of course!" Gorm beams. He smiles and says, "The more the merrier! These other fine Pathfinders were telling us about what brought them to the Pathfinder Society!" He gets up, stretches, and pulls out a few extra chairs for you all to sit in. "You can tell me what brought you here, and then... you novices can help me entertain my guests, Janira and Sorrina!"

Since both Janira (a bard who helps chronicle society adventures) and Sorrina Westyr (the marble-skinned mistress of spells) are here, you can try to impress either or both.

Janira is impressed by ANY skill. Show off the best you have to offer!

Sorrina Westyr is most impressed by Religion, Nature, or Scribing Lore. Sorrina is intrigued by other agents with religious or planar knowledge, as well as those who keep thorough records.

Have fun and roleplay!

Sekhem stands up to greet Alaize and Lyric.

Sekhem is a very short and frail looking young woman from Osirion.

Her dark skin and black eyes are a striking contrast to her fine sky-blue silk clothes, with their gold stitched hems.

As she bows deep in front of you, you see she wears a very elegant headdress, with a beautiful silver ornament in it, representing a long feather, with a blue enamel motif.

"Greetings", she says, "I am Corporal Sekhem of the 73rd Light Chariot Brigade, where I serve as a field medic. I have been detached to undergo training here, in Absalom, with the illustrious Pathfinder Society, under Sorrina Westyr, Master of Spells, tutelage."

Sekhem then steps back, respectfully waiting until the newcomers are seated before she herself sits, or talks to anyone else.

Ravant bows slightly to the newcomers. "Ravant. Pleased to have you join our merry band." He pauses, looks around, then continues. "I'm the lease interesting of all of us. Lately a caravan guard for some... now 'late' merchants. Joined the Pathfinders to repay the debt for not getting fully killed myself."

"Most of what I do is physical - my training is of more use on the road or battlefield, and my kind for skill isn't appropriate for a party. At least not a party anyone would really want to be invited to."

Lyric looks up at the towering Half-Elves then at Sorrina, then Janira (the Halfling woman that dragged her here) then at Gorem, the Dwarven gentleman who appeared to be in charge.

"Am I in trouble?" Lyric thinks to herself, "There were so many tall buildings and that guy... Anders seemed so helpful... Stop this, they recruited you; you did not seek them out. Make your clan proud."

Trying to brush doubt and worry aside, Lyric straighten her multi-colored, multi-layered skirts that had been ruffled in the scurrying across the party floor. Brushing them out reveals that the skirt is not one cloth but actually many layers of fabrics of different colors of blue, green, purple, gold and red; if one looks closely, one will notice that this is also true of the bodice and sleeves as well as the cape Lyric wears. Each piece of fabric appears to be a shear gauze that is almost transparent that, if it weren't for the layering effect, one could see through her clothing. After straightening her clothing she briefly runs her hands through her long black wavy hair that became disheveled during their little run, a lock of her hair insists on falling down in front of her face, refusing to allow her to make that absolutely perfect impression.

Straightening to her full 3'3" height, she clears her throat and says, "Hello, my name is Lyric Earthsong of the Song'O Clan. It is a pleasure to meet all of you. Your people recruited me to the society although I'm not sure why. I am but a simple storyteller amongst my people."

She attempts to show her skill.
Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Hero point that
Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26