In the ruins of a fallen empire built on the power of sin lies the key to awakening a great evil from a time long gone.
The Pathfinder Society isn't the only organization seeking this potent artifact, however, and the result of failure could mean disaster for the whole of Varisia and beyond.
* * *
The letter that arrives bears Venture-Captain Heidmarch’s seal, and seems to contain an enclosure.
“Greetings, Pathfinders! I have new information for you about our agents’ discoveries regarding the cult of Lissala. When the Ten learned of the cult’s active existence, they sent a team to infiltrate a cell in the industrial town of Palin’s Cove. During that mission we learned that the cult intends to bring back the ancient Thassilonian Runelord Krune to rule Varisia. Pathfinder agents next encountered Lissalans here in the City of Strangers and discovered that the cultists aim to return the runelord by using refuge tokens that he created for his followers to reach his hidden location. Our Pathfinders also uncovered the location of an ancient Lissalan shrine, documented to hold a cache of these refuge tokens. The enclosed map shows the location where the shrine is said to be—the fastest way there is from Kaer Maga west into the Wyvern Mountains.
Find the shrine and recover the refuge tokens so that we may use them to access Krune’s lair, thus preventing the Lissalans from raising their runelord. Don’t attempt to use the tokens yet—we also need to uncover the proper command words. And hurry, please! A group bearing the Sihedron—Lissala’s holy rune—was seen leaving the city two days ago. They must seek the shrine as well.
Should you have additional questions about your mission, seek out a trusted informant in the Downmarket District, a textile merchant named Allira Vandane. She will aid you as much as she can. May Desna smile upon you, Pathfinders.”
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A Tengu dressed in a flashy blue cloak, with an shield and dueling blade walks in.
"Ah, Greetings, greetings fellow Pathfinders! I am famed linguist and explorer Slipp Slickfeather. I am very pleased to be joining you in this, i am positively crowing about the opportunity to explore something connected to Thassilonia! A very intriguing language, don't you know? Though it does sound like we must be prepared for some fowl play from these Lissala followers!"
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A slight, pale elf looks up from re-reading the letter. A fox is curled in her lap and she is stroking its head as she reads, ”A pleasure to meet you, Mr Slickfeather. I am also a scholar, although not a great linguist. Hopefully, our interests will complement one and other.”
She then looks within the envelope for the enclosure.
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A tall, gaunt figure sits in a deep green robe, hood up. He watches over the room silently. A large, black creature lays curled up at his feet, draped in a shimmering chain shirt. Yellow eyes pierce out from the darkness, reflecting the light from inside the room.
Abruptly, the chair scrapes across the uneven wooden floor- and the figure stands. Sweeping back the hood, he reveals a face that is young- perhaps only 18 or 20- but eyes that seem much older. He strides over to the others.
The creature beside him softly pads along side- as if his shadow.
"Edmund, at your service. 'Bout time we got something interesting again. I've spent too much time sitting around- after havin' been pulled from Cheliax several moons ago. This here is Kissan" he gestures over to the sizable cat now crouched and ready at this side. "Found her in the Mwangi Expanse and took a shinning to her." He turns fully to look at the cat, and sees her posture. "You can stop showing off now, Kissan. Nothing here is a threat to us..."
So many two legs...
The cat takes another deep breath, and the repungent smell fills her nose.
All smell the same
Crouched under the table she takes in the flow of the space- but keeps her feet under her large form, and ready to pounce. The scrapping draws her attention to Edmund- who is quickly moving off to a small group- including a bird?
Hooman not associate with Bird. What bird want with my hooman?
Quickly she stands and pads-off beside him- staying crouched and low. The voices talk.
Едмунде, на услузи ти. 'Времена опет имамо нешто занимљиво. Проводио сам превише времена седећи около - након што су га из Цхелиака повукли пре неколико месеци KISSAN- Нашли су је у Мванги пространству и узели јој сјај DOWN Ништа овде није претња за нас ....
Released from her posture by Edmunds body language and words, the cat flops over onto her side and stretches- before rubbing her back against the floor- belly up.
*Purrrrrr*
A halfling shuffles in, trying to maintain a low profile.
"Praise be to Nethys, my name is Enora."
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Mylvwara smiles up at Edmund, "Cheliax, the Expanse... We Pathfinders do get about." Then she looks down admiringly at Kissan, "a beautiful creature."
At that, the fox on her lap rolls over and fidgets, she scratches its belly, "Now, don't be jealous, Cariad."
When Enora announces herself, Mylvwara makes a sign of the All-Seeing Eye, "Point with the finger of the Scorched Black Hand." and indicates a seat beside her, "Perhaps we may peer into one and other's spellbooks?"
Those who are knowledgeable about history may recall more information about Thassilon's past.
Covering much of modern-day Varisia, Thassilon was an ancient empire that enslaved giants as warriors and laborers to build enormous monuments.
Each of Thassilon’s seven provinces was governed by a Runelord, a powerful wizard who embodied one of the seven deadly sins.
Krune was the slothful ruler of Haruka, which was east of modern-day Kaer Maga and north of Janderhoff.
The most powerful and audacious Thassilonians bound angels to their service to guard important locations.
* * *
Rumors on the street may provide useful information to knowledgeable or personable characters.
The Wyvern Mountains are home to fearsome aerial predators, such as wyverns and giants. Few expeditions travel there, so any site could have gone undiscovered.
A fellow Acadamae graduate recognized his former classmate Naroth Balam as the head Lissalan cultist leaving Kaer Maga 2 days ago. Back in Korvosa, Naroth focused so narrowly on conjuration magic that he completely forsook evocation and illusion spells—he was incapable of even using a wand or scroll of one of those schools.
The Lissalans abducted several travelers outside the city, including a dwarven merchant from Janderhoff and a Taldan noble.
The Lissalan cultists used enchantment spells to enslave their prisoners and summoned phantom horses before riding off at an incredible pace eastward.
* * *
Those who have made a study of religion may recall more information about Lissala.
Lissala is not a deity commonly worshiped among today’s faithful.
She was a lawful evil Thassilonian deity of runes, fate, obedience, and the reward of service.
Lissala is worshiped by Thassilonians as the goddess of magic. Her holy symbol is the Sihedron Rune, and her favored weapon is the whip. Her cult was known for its flagellations and mortifications of the flesh.
Lissalan temples are known to bless followers and curse unbelievers.
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"Ah, these mountains are home to some flying foes-- Wyverns! As well as giants! Oh my! But a fellow I talked to assures me that his former classmate Naroth Balam is the head Lissalan cultist leaving Kaer Maga 2 days ago. Back in Korvosa, Naroth focused so narrowly on conjuration magic that he completely forsook evocation and illusion spells—he was incapable of even using a wand or scroll of one of those schools."
A figure who must be familiar to all Pathfinders joins the group.
"Sarenrae's blessings upon you," Kyra says to the group.
She frowns as the briefing completes. "As the Dawnflower teaches that all souls are capable and worthy of redemption, I can only hope these misguided followers of Lissala can be taught the error of their ways. Surely only the delusional would think bringing back a Runelord would be a good idea."
"I heard that the Lissalans have been abducting travelers outside the city, most notably a dwarven merchant from Janderhoff and a Taldan noble."
"Lissala is a Thassilonian deity of runes, fate, obedience, and the reward of service. She is not worshiped by many these days."
Covering much of modern-day Varisia, Thassilon was an ancient empire that enslaved giants as warriors and laborers to build enormous monuments. Each of Thassilon’s seven provinces was governed by a Runelord, a powerful wizard who embodied one of the seven deadly sins.
"The Lissalan cultists used enchantment spells to enslave their prisoners and summoned phantom horses before riding off at an incredible pace eastward!"
The market is bustling as usual, and in no time you find Allira Vandane. When she sees you she continues working her shop, but passes her customer off immediately to other assistants.
"Ah friends, business is good, but my real business is just beginning! How can I help you, you got Heidmarch's letter I take it?"
Allira Vandane is a human in her forties. She speaks with an eye on her surroundings.
"The map you received has the location you are seeking as close as we know. According to our sources, the shrine lies about 100 miles west of Kaer Maga in the Wyvern Mountains, through the Ash-Blown lands. This is the most important information you need I suppose."
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With Enora's help, Mylvwara summarises this information:
History: Covering much of modern-day Varisia, Thassilon was an ancient empire that enslaved giants as warriors and laborers to build enormous monuments. ach of Thassilon’s seven provinces was governed by a Runelord, a powerful wizard who embodied one of the seven deadly sins. Krune was the slothful ruler of Haruka, which was east of modern-day Kaer Maga and north of Janderhoff. The most powerful and audacious Thassilonians bound angels to their service to guard important locations.
Local: The Wyvern Mountains are home to fearsome aerial predators, such as wyverns and giants. Few expeditions travel there, so any site could have gone undiscovered. A fellow Acadamae graduate recognized his former classmate Naroth Balam as the head Lissalan cultist leaving Kaer Maga 2 days ago. Back in Korvosa, Naroth focused so narrowly on conjuration magic that he completely forsook evocation and illusion spells—he was incapable of even using a wand or scroll of one of those schools. The Lissalans abducted several travelers outside the city, including a dwarven merchant from Janderhoff and a Taldan noble. The Lissalan cultists used enchantment spells to enslave their prisoners and summoned phantom horses before riding off at an incredible pace eastward.
Religion: Lissala is not a deity commonly worshiped among today’s faithful. he was a lawful evil Thassilonian deity of runes, fate, obedience, and the reward of service. Lissala is worshiped by Thassilonians as the goddess of magic. Her holy symbol is the Sihedron Rune, and her favored weapon is the whip. Her cult was known for its flagellations and mortifications of the flesh. Lissalan temples are known to bless followers and curse unbelievers.
The woman looks at Mylvwara and nods.
”Seems like you collected a lot of information."
She points at the map.
"To be honest I personally do not know what exactly the route is like. But you need to hurry! The tokens are your key target. The research indicates that several dozen are stored in the shrine. We don't know how many are hidden elsewhere. Please do not break the tokens, as they do not transport you to Krune! Sheila will break you if you do so! We also need to learn the words that must be spoken when rending a token. Otherwise a broken token is worthless! But that part will be done by another team.“ she says with some concern.
”So again: Remember that the Lissalans have a head start as they were seen leaving two days ago! Perhaps they will arrive ahead of you. Perhaps they have been mired with obstacles. Who knows?“
While no Pathfinder mission is relaxing, many of them don't involve a time limit. The more Kyra hears about this one, the more it seems like there is a clock ticking and it already has a head start on them in the form or crazed cultists.
"This sounds like a difficult task. We need to recover all the tokens but we don't really know how many tokens there are. I suppose we should just search thoroughly and get all the ones we can find," she says.
"I am a little confused, though. It seems as though our destination is to the West and the cultists fled East. Have I misunderstood or is there a chance they seek something else first?"
She looks around the group. "Does anyone have any method of rapid travel over long distances?"
She shakes her head.
”I have no information on the cultists' goals and why they went where they went unfortunately. I just know that the shrine is your target! Yes, you can have steeds to travel fast.“ she says with a worried look on her face.
You all make the necessary preparations and purchase what you believe is going to support you on this mission!
* * *
The trek with the horses is uneventful.
In the mountain valley, sparse trees sprout from cracks in the steep cliffs, bending in the direction of the constant, howling wind. Piles of scree litter the ground at the base of the cliffs.
In a hollow with a muddied brook, a hole in the mountainside opens up. It was clearly excavated recently—piles of soil and rock flank the opening.
A perfectly square tunnel the height of an ogre cuts through worked stone, leading to a chamber beyond.
Light from within reveals muddy tracks in the dust that coats the floor of the tunnel.
Slipp believes that many different people were part of the company that found this site first - but they probably couldn’t discover any apparent means to enter.
You deduce that rather than spend any more effort searching for an entrance, the company started digging and once they unearthed worked stone, they used magic to disintegrate the walls.
When your elven companion finishes her casting you suddenly hear a sound and shorty thereafter you all hear a voice call out, “Halt, tomb robbers! You shall not enter this sacred site. One more step and you will be destroyed.”
You don't see the one who called out.
"I once went to a place called Kokomo ..." muses Enora just as the voice startles her.
"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry. You must have us confused with someone else. We're not tomb robbers at all. I mean, we didn't even know there was a tomb here."
”I am willing to listen... explain yourself! I am not here to answer but to question!“
Suddenly you all see a figure appearing.
Tall as an Ulfen, with bronze skin that glows as if it had just been removed from the fire. A pair of fiery wings sprout from its back and in it's hand is a flaming greatsword.
"We are from the Pathfinder Society - a group of adventurers who aim to explore, report, and cooperate. Kyra here is a cleric of Sarenrae."
Enora elbows Kyra to the forefront.
Kyra takes the hint. Even as she stands in awe of this impressive being, she begins to speak.
"As my compatriot said, we are from the Pathfinder Society. We were told that a group of cultists - Lissalans, in fact - came to despoil this tomb. We came as quickly as we could but they had a head start on us. Clearly, they put their time to good use. If you will allow us we will stymie them. If you aid us, I have no doubt that we will destroy them," she says.
The golden figure nods after hearing Kyra speak and seems to appreciate the additional voices. But he is clearly not convinced, yet.
The angel is flying 15 ft above the ground.
"I was called and a bargain was made! You might be the liar!" It replies in a voice like thunder.
"I was told great evil was stored within these halls and that my conjurer needed a rearguard to defend him as he put this evil to rest for good."
Movanic devas serve as infantry in the celestial armies, though they spend most of their time patrolling the Positive, Negative, and Material Planes. On the Positive Plane, they watch over wandering good souls, which sometimes puts them into conf lict with the jyoti. On the Negative Plane, they battle undead, the sceaduinar, and the other strange things that hunt in the hungry void. Their rare visits to the Material Plane are usually to help powerful mortals when a great menace threatens to plunge an entire realm into evil.
The angel steps back. You see that Mylvwara’s words are sinking in.
He then eyes you.
”If you would remove your magical items, lower any magical auras and approach to be questioned as I cast Discern lies over you. I could ascertain the truth of your statements without fear of an ambush!“
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 8th; concentration +12)
Constant—detect evil
At will—aid, discern lies (DC 18), dispel evil (DC 19), dispel magic, holy smite (DC 18), invisibility (self only), plane shift (DC 19), remove curse, remove disease, remove fear
7/day—cure serious wounds
1/day—antimagic field, awaken, holy aura (DC 22)
"My friend, we are just as apprehensive of you as you are of us. We can see you have great power as well. What if we were to approach you one at a time, disarmed, while the others stood back? You would be able to screen us for deception, just one at a time."
You really see doubt in the angel‘s eyes after your words.
”I am really not certain what to believe! Therefore, I give you the chance that we find peace ... but I have to discern lies and therefore you have to strip off any magical items so that I can analyze your thoughts!“ the angel says vehemently.
If everyone agrees this is a good idea, Enora will go first. She doesn't have mage armor up, so she's got a clean aura.
"Before we submit to this test, and I hope you will forgive us for any perceived impertinence mighty one, but does anyone have the ability to read a being's alignment? I would be much more comfortable knowing we are actually speaking to a good being before leaving myself defenseless, just as you insist on knowing whether or not we are lying," Kyra says.
The angel nods appreciatively at Slipp.
The Deva approaches. He then waves his hand over Slipp. And you feel as if his mind and yours are somehow connected.
"Repeat your words of explanation so I can discern the truth!"