|
You begin your journey aboard the Grinning Pixie, the pirate cog that serves as a mobile Pathfinder lodge for Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry. The ship is currently moored off Tempest Cay, the northern most island in the Shackles.
Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry, a powerfully built half-orc, stands defiantly on the deck despite the driving winds. Sparse clouds are resplendent with the calm colors of twilight, but waves lap roughly against the ship as sea spray mists the air.
“Good. You’re here. Come with me.” She leads the way to a room below decks, wherea hanging lantern illuminates a canvas map of the isles of the Shackles, with currents and depth marked, fastened to a wooden table with rusting nails. A model of the Grinning Pixie, carved from cork, shows the ship’s current position.
“I hope you lubbers aren’t afraid to get your feet wet. Here’s what I’ve got for you: you’re here to find a Thuvian caravel called the Pride of Aspenthar. The Pride’s captain was Jaheem Quinn, a half-elf with a magical knack for the water. Not a wizard or such, but I’ll be damned if the water didn’t do what he asked when he asked it. I hired Jaheem to take our agents on a mission to the Gloomspires, and neither he nor his ship ever returned to Drenchport. Divinations confirmed that the ship was lost and suggested that no one was aboard, but that could mean anything from them all abandoning ship to a hold full of dead sailors. The winds around the Eye of Abendego are always perilous, but sending Jaheem and his crew into such dangerous currents is one of my few regrets.” The half-orc pauses and shakes her head, her face hardening with resolve.
“The winds have been strange of late, and it seems they’ve turned up news of the Pride—wrecked, of course—near Tempest Cay. It’s a rough place where outside eyes aren’t welcome. You won’t find anyone willing to give account to strangers. I’ve developed a number of connections here, so I’ll see what I can discover on land about any survivors. Your task is to seek out the wrecked ship itself. I’ve been studying these waters and their currents a long time. If a ship has wrecked, it should be around here.” She stabs at the map with a strong finger. “At low tide, the water should be shallow enough to explore on foot in relative safety, without the waves lashing down. You’re to look for any information about why the ship went down, especially if it had to do with these currents. If you can, keep an eye out for Jaheem’s log. It should tell us quite a bit about what happened.”
“Follow any leads you find, but if something’s too much for you to handle, come find me on Tempest Cay. You can ask for me at the Drowned Dwarf in Drenchport. Otherwise, I’ll meet you back here.”
Her gaze lingers on each face in turn. “Right. I’ve got to go landside to catch my contacts while they’re in their cups but still talkative. Be ready to leave an hour before dawn. Enjoy the comforts of the ship tonight, and make sure you visit the quartermaster; I’ve requisitioned specialized supplies for you, and you can ask her any questions you might have. Oh,” the half-orc grins, showing gleaming fangs, “and ask her to wish you luck.”
|
|
Calisro leaves without giving the party much of a chance to ask questions.
KNOWLEDGE (GEOGRAPHY) OR KNOWLEDGE (LOCAL)
must be controlling the mysterious winds and currents.
as a part of their defenses. Many of the residents of these isles are involved in piracy to some degree, which is related to their
unwillingness to answer questions from outsiders.
Although its exact cause is unknown, it formed roughly at the
time of the death of the god Aroden. Its intensity is variable and
unpredictable. Its weaker winds can tear the sails off the biggest
ships, while its stronger gales can reduce a ship to splinters.
Eye of Abendego. Sailors who have braved the outer rim of
the hurricane also report encounters with ghost ships, aquatic
undead, powerful elementals, and vicious sea monsters.
KNOWLEDGE (RELIGION) OR KNOWLEDGE (PLANES)
preserving elemental balance, and the recently formed
Concordance faction is interested in developing a healthy
relationship between the Concordance of Elements and the
Pathfinder Society. Ranginori, the good-aligned elemental
lord of air, was recently freed from his long imprisonment
by an alliance of Pathfinder Society and Concordance of
Elements agents.
and worships the Eye of Abendego, believing it to be a divine
being which they call the Deluged God. They believe their
deity has created these new weather patterns to lure souls
toward the island to be recruited as new followers.
group of Gozreh followers who believed the Eye of Abendego
was a manifestation of their god. A new rising cult in the
Sodden Lands has taken up their mantle and name and seeks
to understand the Eye. They reject the beliefs of the Cult of
the Eye.
Plane of Air that may be related to the shift in weather patterns.
|
Professor Masaendri begins lecturing the group on the tidbits of knowledge she has gathered during her years of teaching.
"Now, I would like to see if the quartermaster has any personal flotation devices for sale. I am afraid this old body is better at wading than swimming." Her tone is brisk and focused. There is a veiled energy behind her officiousness, as if she doesn't want to allow anyone else to see that this experience excites her. There is bound to be more to this than it seems! Which spells should I prepare, I wonder? Oh, how I wish I had a spell to help me swim, or at least float!
|
With Captain Calisro out of the room, Zalgrim turns to face the rest of his companions. "This sort of thing how it always goes? Captain comes in with the tough guy act, monologues us to sleep, then kicks us on our merry way?" He lets out a long whistle, grinning to himself and spinning his spear at his side. "'Course, it looks like I'm talking to a group of bona fide ass-kicking, name-taking proFESSIONALS! I'll do my best to keep up with y'all, so don't go leaving me behind." He tosses his spear to a female djinn standing nearby; she was outfitted with decorative leather armor with a greataxe hoisted across her back.
"My name is Zalgrim, and this beauty here is Pyrha. Now who are the good folk gracing my maiden voyage with their presences?" He draws a bit of food from Pyrha's pack and looks over the group with relaxed anticipation.
Zalgrim listens to Professor Molvil's lecture, nodding along to each beat. "A cult that worships a big ass hurricane? Now that's a good one. 'Fraid I can't contribute to the scholastic action going on, not my specialty." He gives the aged elf a coquettish wink. "But looks like Madame Masaendri has us taken care of."
|
My name is Eredur Smagg, the Younger.
says a sturdy dwarf, with so much seriousness it lingers on pompeousness.
A lithe weasel stuck her head from his side bag.
And yes, girl, I was about to introduce you. Don't be so impatient.This is Lybna.
You notice that the dwarf's tone show more affection to the weasel.
For what I know about the Shackles, the place is "ruled" by pirates. I won't say everyone there is a pirate, for if that was the case they wouldn't have too much preys, but there are probably way more piracy involved around the fabled Eye of Abendego than anywhere else on the seas. Strangely, the local ruler of our current port is a druid and pirate known as the Master of the Gales. He should know everything about the local winds and waves. But I suppose we won't be able to ask him questions.
|
|
A tall half-orc woman steps up. Her fingers are covered in countless rings of different shapes and sizes. She has a holy symbol of a sword held aloft on her breastplate.
"Ahoy there mateys" she shouts with a grin. She's always wanted to be a pirate (a good one that is)! "The names Bedisa. Pleasure to meet y'all."
Bedisa turns to the dwarf - "I've heard similar things. Pirates. Everywhere. Who knows exactly how many there are - I'm not sure. But perhaps this Master of the Gales may know more."
|
|
Bennett rolls his shoulders when Calisro leaves them, Yes, Zalgrim. Just about like that, we get yelled at to fix a thing and they leave. He instinctively runs his hand down the bow over his shoulder to try to recall facts about the pirates. The pirates aren't the only things we should consider. There are ghost ships, elementals, and other large sea creatures. After a moment, Oh, and Bennett Florence here, at your service.
Bennett is a handsome type in a large-lapeled red coat. He is adorned with his hardwood longbow and a short sword at his hip. If you look at him for any length of time you begin to notice his image shift and his shadow move rather actively.
|
|
The party is free to explore the ship, but it is quickly aparent that most of the crew are in port enjoying their shore leave and the ship is mostly empty.
Eventually making it to the hold of the Grinning Pixie the party meets with the quartermaster, Kakikko. Her graying ruff feathers betray her age, but her eyes are bright and her bearing is spry and cheerful, in contrast to the seriousness of the venture-captain. It’s clear that she enjoys her post.
“Hello, fellow Pathfinders,” Kakikko says. “You’re here to find the wreck of the Pride of Aspenthar, right? Good. I’ve some gear for you.”
The brightly adorned tengu opens up a bag and lays several items carefully on her serving counter. "Those are water breathing potions. You each are going to get one of those. There is also a wand of touch of the sea for you here. It's gotten a lot of use by previous agents, so there's only magic in there for about ten charges or so. Whatever you don't end up using, I would appreciate it if you could return it to me. These things aren't cheap and we go through a lot of them." Kakikko then takes a long, gray splinter of wood out of the bag and sets it carefully down.
“This isn’t just any splinter. It’s a token that transforms into a swan boat.” The quartermaster leans forward, clacking her beak. "This boat drives itself by magic. It will only last for one day, but that should be much more time than you need. Now, do you have any questions?”
|
|
Kakikko takes four brown glass vials off the shelf and gives them to Bennett. "Hope you have fun with those. Just be careful where you throw them. They have a tendency to splash on you if you're not careful."
The tengu drags out a crate from the bag of the room. "I think this is where we keep the wizard scrolls. Feel free to dig around until you find something you like. You know, if you happen to survive the mission Calriso is sending you on, I think there's a wizard or two on shore leave. They might let you take a look at their books. For a nominal fee of course."
|
|
”Howdy, Kakikko was it? Life on the high seas treating you well?” Zalgrim makes small talk as he looks over the wares, quite aware of how light his coin purse was. ”Woe as I may be to admit it, I swim about as well as a drunken oread. Would you happen to have something to help me swim? Along with an air bladder?”
Zalgrim gives the tengu a cheeky smile and places down two coins, one gold and one silver.
|
|
Professor Masaendri gladly accepts the potion. With a respectful nod at Eredur, she offers: "Would you like to carry the wand and token for us? I can if you would rather not." She then begins perusing the wares.
"I think we should stock up on healing potions, just in case. I'll take two potions of Cure Light Wounds, please. Thank you." As she puts the potions in her pack, she grunts slightly at how heavy it is. Oof! I cannot wait until I learn a spell to make hefting this pack easier!
|
|
Bedisa will look at Kakikko. "That's a fancy looking dagger you have there, may I see it?" ()
She also spies some long poles in the corner. "Are those javelins? Could I look at those too?" ()
"Also - perhaps some acid flasks too? Sorry if thats too much but never know when a swarm could be around the corner." ()
|
|
"Life here on the Grinning Pixie is pretty good. The crew always appreciates having a tengu around and I've gotten pretty good at figuring out what kinds of stuff you young adventurer's tend to need. Lots of weapons, stuff for surviving in the water, lots of healing magic. I even have a Chelexian contact who makes sure I always have at least a few wands of infernal healing on hand. That wineskin hanging up there? Full of holy water! You'd think you guys drink the stuff!"
Kakikko takes your money and continues going back to her stockpile to pull items out. She seems pretty eager to chat with you. "So you folks have any questions for me about the mission or anything? I know the boss lady wants you to head out dawn tomorrow. Otherwise, there's plenty of food on board. The cooks are all on shore leave, so you'll have to cook it yourself if you want it warm. And Calisro always makes sure to keep a lot of rum on board, so feel to drink however much you want."
|
|
”Have you heard any of the crew mention a ‘Cult of the Eye’? Or talk of a ‘Deluged God’? We got some crazies thinking that hurricane is their new god, might have something to do with old Quinn going missing. Not likely, but you never know.”
After Kakikko answers, Zalgrim takes a theatrical bow and declares that he’s off to find where this “lot of rum” was hiding, taking Pyrha with him on his way out.
|
|
"Thank you for everything! Have you heard of the Master of Gales? I heard theres a druid pirate by that name around these parts who can control the wind and currents."
After Kakikko answers, Bedisa will slip into the kitchen. She's starving and will start whipping up some food. She's not that great of a cook, but she's trying anyways!
|
|
Kakikko answers Zalgrim, "There's a lot of weird religions out here in the Eye and ailors are a superstitious lot. Did Caliros mention anything about me being lucky? A lot of sailors call us jinx-eaters cause they think we are lucky. Most of the crew worship gods like Besmara or Gozreh but there are people out there that worship the Eye itself. I don't know if anyone on board belongs to the Cult of the Eye," Kakikko shrugs. "But personally, I try to avoid discussing religious matters with people. Its a small ship and that topic has a tendency to get people riled up."
Kakikko answers Bedisa, "Yeah, everyone has heard of the Master of Gales but don't believe anyone who tells you they've met them. He could just be a pirate's tale for all I know. People call him a king, but he's not like a king you know. He doesn't collect any taxes or issues edicts. He could be behind the "Pride" getting wreaked. I guess that's up to you guys to find out."
|
|
"What sorts of fauna and flora are common in the area we will be searching? Do you know of any particular hazards we would be likely to face? Where are the tide charts? We ought to look up when our window of opportunity will be open, and when it will close." The Professor is ticking off questions in her mind, trying to make sure she has gathered all the information needed before embarking. Once finished getting her answers, she heads to the galley to assist Besida in making a meal.
Despite living nearly her entire life in the Elven kingdom of Kyonin, she doesn't seem to have any prejudices against dwarves or half-orcs. Perhaps it is her academic nature, treating everyone she meets as a new tome to be read, or perhaps it is her desire to seek out new experiences that allows her to appreciate that the differences between the races of Golarion don't necessarily prove anyone's inherent superiority. Whatever the reason, she seems to relish the varied company she keeps in a way that many elves from the kingdom would not.
|
|
"There's a lot out on the water that can kill you if you aren't careful, but most animals will leave you alone if you don't bother them though. Sharks are probably the biggest danger. Of course, there's also pirates and sea devil raiders."
"You should have two our three hours to explore the wreak out there. But then again, the waters near the Eye can get unpredictable. You shouldn't need the tide charts, the reefs will be visible while tide is low. You'll have to get out and explore on foot. I don't know how familiar you are with coral reefs, but it can get be as sharp as a sword, so be careful where you step."
[b]"There are going to be a lot of wreaks out there. You'll want to look for something with a figurehead shaped like a sun orchid, apparently because Aspenthar is known for the sun orchid elixir. Let’s see. What else...? The ship was constructed of Thuvian wood, and the anchor and ballast should have distinct sun orchid stamps impressed into the metal.”
|
|
Bocke looks out at the water hesitantly. He had a bad run-in with water in his last adventure, and nearly drowned.
Still, it was better than dying alone, trapped inside a pyramid with undead. At least with the Pathfinder Society he had friends around. He turns to his friends.
"Molvil, nice to see you again," he nods.
|
|
The next morning the party departs to investigate the wreakage. The splinter turns into a sturdy swan boat and with Benarry's directions the party easily finds the area of the reefs where the wreakage was spotted. The wreak was caught on the highest point of the coral reef and can be seen from 200 feet away.
The combination of rough currents and the threat of large circling sharks means that the boat is not able to dock next to the boat. After searching the reef, the party finds a place where they will be able to dock the boat. Because of the low tides, the coral is exposed enough that the Pathfinders will be able to walk the rest of the way to the wreak.
The air is brackish here, with a scent of salt and dead fish lingering in the area. The coral tapes to razor-edged, ridge like points of varying heights while the tidal pools are slick with algae. In the shallows, wooden planks and flotsam from many shipwreaks are visible in various stages of warp and decay. A decaying ship lists along the outer edge of the reef, a large hole torn through its hull like the menacing open maw of a barnacle covered beast. The painted name Pride of Aspenthar is just barely visible in flaking remnants of ornate gold script on the ship's prow.
|
|
The group cautiously moves across the coral reefs, sloshing through the wet sand and knee high water that make up the tide pools on the top of the coral reef. Many of the shallow tidal pools contain tiny fish and other
aquatic creatures that hide within the algae fronds, waiting for the tide to come back in. Shark fins occasionally slice through the deeper water that surrounds the reef, as the hunters scout for easy prey.
|
|
I'm sorry, Lubna, but I think it's not safe enough for you to come with me. And you do hate baths, anyway. And that's strange, cause I know weasels can swim.
I like you very much, pretty thing, but I must admit a wet weasel stinks badly. Not sure if salty water would change a thing.
The lady weasel (a weaselette?) is even more stubborn than her dwarf so-called "master", and climbs into the relative safety of Eredur's waterproof's bag.
And don't eat too much in there, that's where I put my spellbook usually, I don't want any crumbs or worse in it! Stay calm a moment, Lybna. And thank you for that, we'll need it.
You notice Lybna , now poking her head out of the bag, got a wand in her small maw, so Eredur takes it, and uses it on himself and the weasel.
Eredur walks toward the elf, his wand firmly in hand, and gallantly offers his help
May I, Professor?
|
|
Noting how sharp the coral reef looks, the elderly Professor casts Mage Armor on herself as a precaution. She doesn't want any "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!"-type situations to turn into a bloody mess should she fall and cut herself on the coral. (The sharks would like that entirely too much!) She then begins sloshing along in the shallow water, feeling the cold water drench her shoes and clothes up to her knees. It isn't long before she is huffing and puffing as she trudges in a most undignified splashy manner along the shallow water of the reef.
|
|
Bedisa looks at the wizard and the arcanist as they cast spells. "Silly fools. They're not going to get hurt as long as Bedisa is around!" I'll protect them all! she thinks to herself.
The shark fins look mighty suspicious and Bedisa is starting to get worried about them. She'll make sure none come too close.
|
|
There are a seagulls flocking around the tide pools, which do have small fish and shellfish swimming in them.
As the PCs approaches the wreak, several halfling sized crabs come scuttling out of a large tide pools, clacking huge claws that could easily cut off fingers and break bones.
|
|
Professor Masaendri notes Bocke eyeing the seagulls with way too much interest. "Oh, Mr. Reed, for heaven's sake! We just ate breakfast not long ago. Please don't eat any more fresh gulls! We have to share the head on the way back, and I really don't want to have to know how poorly it settles in you!"
She continues splashing along, looking for a way around the crabs. Once she sees a spot, she stops there and calls out to the group: "It seems this is the best place to cross the reef, if we are to do it. What do you think?"