.
I hope this letter finds you well. The Pathfinder Society has been offered an intriguing opportunity by the ruling parliament of northwestern Ustalav, so I am requesting your help for a mission. Please meet me in Caliphas at my headquarters in the Vodavani Lodge and present this letter to me upon arrival. I am compelled to warn you that the refugee situation in Caliphas is somewhat dire, but rest assured that other members of our Society are working to ameliorate the situation as best as they can!
Thank you for your assistance,
Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss
The sight upon arriving in Caliphas is…depressing. The streets of the Ustalavic capital are crammed due to a large influx of refugees from the former nation of Lastwall; angry citizens of Caliphas forcibly attempt to remove many of the refugees from the city, though these citizens quickly flee with their tails between their legs if confronted by steeled adventurers such as the Pathfinders called to the city by Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss.
Eventually, a group of Pathfinders transporting supplies breaks you off from the crowd of the needy, explaining that they are better equipped to handle the current situation and take over the aid efforts while directing you to the Vodavani Lodge.
The Vodavani Lodge is in pure cacophony and chaos as dozens of Pathfinders imultaneously discuss the current situation or upcoming mission, and a scattered group of priests is prominently handing out holy water to eager agents. At the center of it all is a glimmer gnome in an elaborate turban and matching oversized blue robe that are both decorated with crescent moons and butterflies: Venture-Captain Evni Zongnoss. Next to her stands the Grand Archives faction leader: Gorm Greathammer.
The handsome dwarven prince waves from where he stands next to a heavy oak table. “Welcome,” he calls out, projecting over the sounds of the crowd. Beside him, a harried Evni Zongnoss looks up from where she’s charting a precise path on a parchment map.
“Ah, you made it. Thank you for coming. As you can see, we have our hands full here,” Evni greets. “I believe you all should have received a letter from me containing your assigned destination?”
The gnome points to a flag on the map, marking a spot in the northwest region of Ustalav. “The Pathfinder Society has been given a special commission by the Palatinate parliament of northwestern Ustalav. There’s an old fortification in the foothills between Courtaud and Tamrivena by the name of Zagorstra Keep, built by the Oborov family and then abandoned when the line died out. The Society is to secure the keep so that the government can occupy it and use it as a guard post for the region. In exchange, the Society can claim any items of historical significance we find inside.”
“They’ve even provided us with an official eviction notice for any unwanted tenants that might be there, should it come to that!” Gorm says, pushing forward a bundle of papers stamped with a wax seal. “Though I doubt anyone residing there will be so easily reasoned with. Otherwise, why would the government be asking us?”
“The keep is the source of many local superstitions. We think it is likely to be occupied by dangerous creatures, so we’ve invited a number of priests to our lodge to provide holy water and other equipment. I think you would be wise to stock up on such supplies before you get underway,” Evni adds. “Apologies for the lack of better advice, but we didn’t get a chance to investigate the site as thoroughly as we’d have liked. You’ll be the first Pathfinders on the ground at the keep.”
“It’s a risk, but if it pays off, it’ll be worth it,” Gorm says. “I believe this keep may be the final resting place of a lost library I’ve been researching. If we find it, we’ll solve one of the great academic mysteries of the ages—not to mention the books themselves. The majority of the collection is over three thousand years old, which makes it quite the scholarly trove if any of it survived.”
“Indeed,” Evni adds. ”Simple enough mission: secure the keep, bring back anything interesting that you find. Any questions?”
|
Fangor is obviously a cleric of Razmir, the Living God. A silver mask hides his feature as heavy gray robes masks his frame, that makes difficult to clearly distinguish his height or frame. Nevertheless, his voice seems to be quite aged, almost a murmur, but very melodious and entertaining. Only his pointy ears that appears from time to time betray his elven heritage.
His immaculate white gloved hands are clearly delicate and manipulate with ease the wayfinder he have in hand, engraved with an intricate F.
With his smooth and melodious voice he says Greetings, I'm Fangor. Have you heard of Razmir, the Living God?
After listening to the Venture-Captain and the Grand Archive Leader, he asks around about the place they will explore and says to his comrades with his smooth voice.
I've heard that the Zagorstra Keep was built in 3409 AR by the eccentric Oborov noble family, who demanded bizarre features to confound potential invaders. Many people talk about trapped fake doors and staircases to nowhere. Also, legends linger that the family had the architect murdered after the work was completed. What a clever plan...
Nevertheless, after the many years of neglect, the manor has been wracked with thunderstorms and pouring rain. Anyone who seeks to venture into the forest near the keep should be prepared to deal with both lightning and water.
Greetings, I'm Fangor. Have you heard of Razmir, the Living God?
Evni leans closer to Gorm without taking her eyes off of the masked Pathfinder.
”Why is there—?”
“There’s a lodge in Razmiran now, Evni. Hush.”
|
Quinoline walks down the street, harried by a small throng of children begging her for food. In her arms, she carries 10 weeks' worth of rations.
Kneeling down in the mud to speak to them at eye level, she hands out the rations, dividing each portion as much as she can. When she runs out of food, she scolds one child who reaches for one of the brightly colored vials on her bandolier.
"NO," she says sternly. "These are dangerous."
The remainder of the children scatter, still hungry.
Quinoline stands up and takes a deep breath. Interacting with the stream of refugees was emotionally exhausting, and she has to remind herself that she is not here for relief efforts.
---
In the briefing, she nods along with Fangor. "I've heard those as well."
She greets Astrid by name, having been on several missions together; she also talks with Fangor about Razmiran, and how she helped set up the Lodge. She also spent her downtime there, crafting some stained glass for the keep.
|
|
”Of course we’ll help!” A tall man with curly chestnut hair flashes a charming smile at the venture-captain before it falls into a frown. ”But I don’t remember Winifred saying anything about undead or ghosts or anything like that, so why do you think we need all this holy water?” His voice is melodious and expressive, matching the wide-eyed innocence on his face.
” Greetings, I'm Fangor. Have you heard of Razmir, the Living God?”
”I don’t think I have!” The man claps delightedly. ”Do you know more about her? Does she like animals? And singing?” He unconsciously pushes his hair out of his face and back behind his ear as he waits breathlessly for the priest’s response.
”But I don’t remember Winifred saying anything about undead or ghosts or anything like that, so why do you think we need all this holy water?”
Evni looks at Charming with astonishment. ”You…you’re kidding, right? Ever since Vigil…” The gnome stops as she stares blankly off in the distance, her mind clearly on something else as stress washes over her face.
”Oh boy.” Gorm snaps his fingers several times in front of the Venture-Captain’s face. ”Evni. Evni. Come back to us. Still in Caliphas, remember?”
The gnome blinks several times and shakes her head. ”Yes, uh…sorry. Ever since Tar-Baphon was freed from the Gallowspire this area has been overrun with far more undead than we’ve seen in a long time, and that’s saying something.”
|
|
Lapiz arrives a little late due to dealing with all the refugees. Upon hearing about the house and it's inhabitants she adds," Reminds me of a place back in Vidrian. The owner just kept on building and building and building. Really odd sight. So much so it became a tourist attraction. I went there not to long ago.
Upon hearing about the potential for undead Lapiz's have contorts a bit and grows a bit pale. She adds,"Ooooo great...My friends used to make fun of me for being a bit of a coward. Don't worry Lapiz you can do this."
|
|
Fangor will help the refugees as much as he could and explains to them that if they want a safe place to live, they can go to Razmiran where Razmir, the Living God, will protect them for Tar-Baphon and offer shelter and work.
It will be my pleasure Charming, Razmir is the god of law, luxury, obedience, and the land of Razmiran itself! As a god of luxury, I'm sure that He loves animals and music. Most of his priest are trained in the Art of Oratory, so we will be able to address people.
To Quinoline, he says Yes, I'm a friend of the local priest.
"So you want us to go to this place, evict everyone, and make it safe for the government to inhabit? OK."
"Yeah, that's basically the gist of—"
"And try to find and recover the books!" Gorm interrupts.
|
A large, heavily armed and armored ulfen woman enters the room. Her eyes are bloodshot and she has a scowl on her face. She speaks with a pronounced Skald accent.
"Ugh. Sorry I'm late. I gave some coins to some of the refugees and before I knew it I was mobbed. It took awhile to get away from them without smashing in some faces. I feel a bit bad for shouting at the poor wretches like I did but what else could I do?"
She strides up to Quinoline and gives her a friendly punch on the shoulder.
"Ha! Quin! Good to see you again. How's your head? That was a nasty bump you took when you collided with that wall."
She turns to the rest of the group and gives them a cocky salute.
"So this is the crew this time, huh? Good to meet you all."
She pounds on her shield with a gauntleted fist and introduces herself.
"I'm Astrid Gertasdottir, shield maiden. I travel the path of glory. I'm stealthier than moonlight and fiercer than an avalanche. I've killed more men than winter and drunk enough ale to sink an armada."
|
|
“They’ve even provided us with an official eviction notice for any unwanted tenants that might be there, should it come to that!” Gorm says, pushing forward a bundle of papers stamped with a wax seal. “Though I doubt anyone residing there will be so easily reasoned with. Otherwise, why would the government be asking us?”
"I'd like to look over those papers if you don't mind. I should probably make sure there won't be any problems with their legitimacy."
With his smooth and melodious voice he says Greetings, I'm Fangor. Have you heard of Razmir, the Living God?
"Aren't they all living?"
Astrid pauses for a moment.
"Well...except for one notable exception of course."
The Venture-Captain looks among each of the Pathfinders expectantly before just shrugging. ”Well, if there aren’t any questions then you’d best be getting on your way. I’ve hired a coach to take you to the keep itself; it’s a few days’ journey. Unfortunately, there was nothing we could pay the coach driver to wait for you outside, so you’ll have to walk down to the nearby town to find transportation for your return. The coach driver was also very firm that she would waste no time and take no detours, so finish any other business you might have before departing.”
The journey through the Palatinates is quick and uneventful. Though the local forests are being soaked by summer thunderstorms, the trip out to the keep is relatively calm. That is, until the keep finally comes into view. Lightning illuminates the rain-slicked walls of the stone keep, casting the fortified facades in striking relief. The roof of Zagorstra Keep is slanted at a strange, asymmetrical angle from the walls, making the building disconcerting to look at. The faint and haunting chords of a pipe organ can be heard beneath the downpour, granting an eerie ambiance to the approach.
The coach driver looks at the building in a combination of shock and awe, and makes zero attempt at hiding the fact that the moment the Pathfinders disembark from her stagecoach she nopes the hell out of there.
|
|
On the road, Quinoline advocates that whoever is the best at diplomacy should carry the eviciton notice. When presented, it may require a ... light touch ... to be useful.
At the keep, Quinoline advocates the direct route - knocking on the front door and asking politely. But if others have a better plan, she's down for shenanigans.
|
|
With his smooth voice Fangor says to Quinoline.
Our friend Astrid seems to have some legal knowledge, may be will it be wise to lend it to her? In any case, I'm good with talking to people if you prefer.
Looking at the strange building, Fangor thinks Living to its legend. before turning to his comrades and saying.
As we come with a legal notice of eviction, I suggest to go through the main entrance and ask for the master of this place. We are no bandits nor pillagers, so it seems fair to do that.
|
|
Our friend Astrid seems to have some legal knowledge, may be will it be wise to lend it to her? In any case, I'm good with talking to people if you prefer.
"I can hold it if you want. It's not likely to be too effective though. Sure it looks pretty and has some high ranking signatures on it but it's more for show than anything."
Astrid shrugs.
"I dunno, it looks official enough I guess. Maybe we can use it to bluff them out of here."
Immediately upon entering the keep, you all find yourselves in some kind of makeshift laboratory with arcane pillars lining the walls. At the center of the room is a raised dais, within its transparent walls pulse and swirl an uncanny reddish liquid. Above the dais is a hole in the ceiling some twenty feet in diameter, causing the rain outside to pour in. Further up in the hole—thirty feet above the dais below—is a square metal platform, suspended to the surrounding ceiling by thick iron chains.
As the Pathfinders slowly advance into the keep, a raucous deafens them momentarily. As they regain their hearing, amid the muffled music of a distant organ they hear clack clack clack as the iron chains on the ceiling move, granting enough slack that it slowly lowers the square metal plate from above. At the last few feet before the platform settles at the top of the dais, the Pathfinders see a massive monstrosity standing up awkwardly from a prone position on the free-moving platform. The eight-foot-tall creature is an amalgamation of body parts from a variety of creatures stitched together in a mockery to the gods’ true handiwork.
When the platform finally settles on the top of the dais, the creature hops of the platform, sees the Pathfinders, and roars in rage!
Round 1
================
Fangor
Tybalt
Creature
Astrid
Lapiz
Quinolone
Charming
================
Round 1
================
Fangor
Tybalt
Creature
Astrid
Lapiz
Quinolone
Charming
================
|
|
This creature is some sort of giant mindless zombie! I don't think it will react to our notice of eviction. I suggest rather than talking to just strike it with slashing weapon or positive energy. Things it will understand.
Too far away to use his spell, Fangor draws his shortbow and shoots at the creature before it react.
The Razmiri’s arrow flies straight past the creature’s head, clipping off a small bit of its ear—though it makes no indication of noticing part of its ear being gone.
The creature lurches forward—you expected a creature of this size to move a bit faster—and looks down at Tybalt. The creature raises its fist and brings it down right above Tybalt’s head!
After knocking the wind—and maybe several vertebrae—out of the dwarf, the creature follows up with a kick to Tybalt’s chest!
But the dwarf’s armor blocks most of the blow.
Round 1/2
================
Fangor
Tybalt (-40)
Creature
Astrid
Lapiz
Quinoline
Charming
================
The zephyr hawk swoops down from the rafters, pummeling the giant undead twice before retreating back to safety.
The zephyr hawk Flies up to half its Speed, makes two wing Strikes, then Flies up to half its Speed again to return to its original location. The second half of this movement doesn’t trigger reactions. Both attacks count toward the zephyr hawk’s multiple attack penalty, but the penalty doesn’t increase until after it makes both attacks.
Astrid moves forward ang immediately grabs at the creature’s legs, restricting its movement!
Lapiz moves forward and patches up all of the damage the creature dealt to Tybalt before retreating back.
Quinoline chucks a bottled lightning at the creature, though it has enough movement to move out of the way as the bottle shatters at its feet.
The small bits of electricity, rather than hurt the creature like Quinoline expected, seems to arc into the stitches keeping the creature together! Almost out of impulse, the creature’s arm jerks straight toward Astrid’s body to grab her while she’s grabbing it!
The creature wraps a single massive hand around Astrid’s body and suddenly all of the electricity from Quin’s bottled lightning surges out—much stronger than before—all into Astrid, while leaving the creature unharmed!
Quin then throws a ghost charge, but the creature backhands it mid-air, causing the metal canister to shatter against the nearby wall.
Charming summons a hawk of pure air that only really seems to annoy the creature like a persistent insect.
Fangor successfully Hides behind the pillar and chucks fire at the creature! Although, despite the creature catching on fire, it seems to take less damage than the Razmiri intended.
Tybalt Steps up to the creature, though completely misses the creature both times.
The creature looks down at the creatures at its feet and throws several punches—though at Astrid first
Suddenly, the creature takes some damage from Fangor’s thrown flame catching it on fire!
Round 2/3
================
Fangor
Tybalt (-20)
Creature (-28) {3d4 persistent fire}
Astrid (-38)
Lapiz
Quinoline
Charming
Zephyr Hawk
================
If Astrid would have rolled Arcana, open the spoiler below
Every golem has at least one of each of these kinds of magical exceptions.
If you would have rolled Crafting, open the spoiler below.
Astrid solidly hits the creature, but instead of easily slicing through its flesh like Fangor said, she feels as if her attack was less effective!
Round 2/3
================
Fangor
Tybalt (-20)
Creature (-63 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {3d4 persistent fire}
Astrid (-4)
Lapiz
Quinoline
Charming
Zephyr Hawk
================
The hawk screeches in response and swoops to dive-bomb the maybe-zombie before circling around again and retreating to safety.