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A hulking half-orc, Venture-Captain Calisro Benarry of the Arcadian Mariner’s Lodge—the official title used by the Pathfinder Society to identify the refitted merchant vessel named the Grinning Pixie—stoops in her lavishly appointed cabin. Her surprisingly soft voice purrs, “Five days, that’s all you got. After that, if I don’t see your pretty faces rowing towards the Pixie, I’m weighing anchor and you’ll have to find your own way home. Nothing personal, but these aren’t the friendliest of waters.” Even with her ultimatum, a genuine look of concern washes over her sunkissed face. Her gaze hardens as she glances to her captain’s chair, currently occupied by a confident Zarta Dralneen. “Just like any trip to Rachikan, this is no vacation,” the half-orc adds before loudly clearing her throat.
Zarta’s dark eyes meet the captain’s before the Chelish woman playfully remarks, “I assure you, I’m here on business. A personal friend of mine, the Pathfinder spy Marianix Karn, has been working in Rachikan as an archaeologist. Up until now, the Society has been content to let the Chelish government deal with the ruins’ morlock infestation; however, as of Karn’s last report, the Society’s stance has changed drastically.” A hand tipped with vibrantly polished fingernails places an envelope on the suspended table. “Here, take a look at this. I think you’ll find it quite interesting."
Venture-Captain Benarry glances at the letter to double-check its contents before speaking. “The Pathfinder Society charges you to enter Rachikan, and, if Karn’s report is true, find a way through that sealed door. The Society believes that if it is the tomb of Rachikan’s former ruler, she would be buried with a substantial number of golem soldiers. Having several to study would forward our goal to record history. Having them all would be a great help in the Society’s Worldwound expedition."
Captain Benarry looks to you all with a determined face.
“Take a jolly boat and row to the eastern edge of the central pillar. Several years ago one of our expeditions discovered a staircase there that descends into Rachikan’s heart.” Pulling her hood over her head, she adds, “You can use my cabin to plan. If there are no questions, I will ensure the boat is ready.”
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The half-elf wears a rune-covered cloak that seems to blend into the darkness. Around his neck is an eye-and-moon holy symbol of some kind. He speaks quietly, his tone conveying a fair degree of cynicism and apathy.
"Paracountess." He gives a slight nod. Ranalus does not hide his dislike for the Infernal-aligned realm of Cheliax, but he is a loyal Pathfinder, and Zarta's contributions to the Society are well known.
He moves gracefully over to the table and takes a look at the letter.
"Ah yes. Rachikan, the glory of Jistka's golemworks. The city with the finest forges. Mostly buried by earthquakes.
Recently rediscovered by the Society, but Cheliax has claimed it. Hellknights trying to hold back Morlock attacks on the site."
"Hmm... so the Society plans to sneak these golems out from under the nose of the Hellknights? I expect the Society wishes us to carve a bloody swath through the morlocks." Ranalus rolls his eyes.
"I do have a bit of a soft spot for outcasts and exiles... poor creatures. Plus, they are fighting Hellknights. But I will do what I must for the good of the mission."
"Severina Helsprex. The last ruler of this city. Thought to have perished in the earthquakes, but no body was ever found. Well then... at the very least she would be an archaeological find. Presuming she is not present in some more... active... state."
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A full Elf - tall, athletically-built, and some might even say 'quintessential' in appearance - with platinum hair and turquoise eyes, unarmored but rather heavily-armed and also bearing an elegant silver spellbook at his side, nods in affirmation at Ranalus's assertions, but otherwise betrays no emotional affectation.
"Have you seen the artwork coming out of the site? This seems to have been where they built their infamous masterpieces - their 'behemoth golems'. Supposedly these were so massive they could crush a dozen soldiers underneath a single stomp."
To Ranalus's account of Magistrate Helsprex, he adds, "According to what's been found at other Jistkan sites, she was both an able overseer - if you like the 'rule through fear' approach, at any rate - and excelled at Conjuration and binding magic, even by the high standards of Jistkan nobility."
"So: Beware of *very* large golems, and bound, fairly powerful, severely disgruntled extraplanar beings."
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Ranalus looks thoughtful.
"I myself did destroy another giant golem with an artifact weapon known as Fossilblight. Though I am hardly a warrior brute, the blessings of the Count allow me to fill that role if need be and if I can prepare.
The Society would allow me to requisition Fossilblight for a mission. If there are in fact gigantic golems possibly hostile to us... Hmmm... let me see the capabilities of the rest of our team. It may be a good option."
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A blonde dwarfess, wearing a blue robe over her armor, is sharpening her big axe.
She doesn't seems to like the Paracountess much either, but show no sign of disrespect.
Awww, always glad to have some people who know stuff. My name is Brallenera Thalkham. Nice to meet you. Better to know what we might have to fight before we meet our foes. So, big golems and creatures from other planes it might be, maybe a few morlocks..It can be tough. Who can stand a close combat fight?
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During the travel to the ship you did not hear much from shy but likable Setare.
Setare seems to be quite nervous and looks around.
She is a scrawny girl with auburn hair and amber eyes.
Her features seem Chelaxian but also have something else mixed in.
She is wearing a brown adventuring outfit but no armor. She has a plume on her head, carries a scimitar at her hip that is attached to her left wrist with a very fine chain and has a finely crafted adamantine chestus attached to her right hand.
Around her neck a pendant with the holy symbol of Sarenrae is clearly visible.
"He ... hello, I am Se.. Setare .." Setare says with a quivering voice and a shy smile.
Then she focuses on the group of Pathfinders.
"Ehhh ... it is ... you know ... I’m ... ehh ... good that we are together. We wi... will surely re.. return in time, right?” she says and then looks down to the ground.
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Setare almost looks startled when the lady dwarf speaks to her.
"Ehh ... well .. ehh .. I do no want to be str... stranded here. I wa ... was a pira... ehhh ... I mean sea hero once ... and be... being on the.. these waters without the VC's shi ... ship can be da... dangerous! Ehh ... i thi... think ..." she stutters.
An energetic dinosaur darts in. The young T-Rex looks at the party eagerly and waves his long tail back and forth.
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As the last pathfinders take seats, you notice Zarta is somewhat displeased.
Captain Benarry stands and leans against the pole in the center of the cabin as the ship rolls slightly. "No other questions then? Good. I do like a confident party. But I might add that the morlocks have suffered great losses since their city was invaded. Their attacks have become less frequent. If one can feign a show of force, they tend to just back down now. If you can get in and out quickly, you should be able to avoid any major confrontations with 'em."
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"I'm sure you will." The Paracountess remarks to Ranalus, with a certain practiced disappointment.
Captain Benarry smiles at the dwarf. “Well, here you are in luck. The Society has sent agents into Rachikan twice before. During our first expedition, we learned the existence of artifacts called ivory batons, which allowed Jistkan artificers to command their golems. During our second trip, we discovered several jet obelisks located within a half-submerged citadel. The agents surmised that the obelisks are connected and may allow for teleportation throughout the city — maybe beyond. Whether you walk the golems out yourselves or use the magic of an obelisk, it matters not. Just get them to my ship.”
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Setare slowly raises her arm.
”To be ho... honest, I know little a.. about many of the thi... things that you talked a.. about Venture Ca... Captain! So tho.. those people and a.. also the da.. dangers that might be di... difficult to deal with, surely a... are known to you, right?“ she asks shyly.
Setare raises her hand again and waits a moment.
"Ehh ... any da.. dangers we could face? And do you ha... have more in.. information about the.. the people you mentioned Venture Ca .. Captain?" she asks with a quivering voice.
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"No map, sorry. And if the morlocks can figure out the batons, I'm sure you can too." Benarry quips at Rallas before listening carefully to Setare finish. She is about to speak, but Zarta interrupts.
"Marianix Karn, you mean? She is the daughter of a deceased, high-ranking member of the Aspis Consortium and works as a spy for the Pathfinder Society. She has proven her loyalty many times, including to me. The Decemvirate are concerned about her because her last three scheduled missives have not turned up. We fear something is wrong.”
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"Good then. Be kind to my dinghy. She's special to me. I'll wait here for your return." The Captain nods, takes a last look at the seated Zarta and leaves for the upper deck.
For her part, Zarta smiles politely and wiggles her fingers as a dismissive goodbye. "Remember darlings, if you have to confront the Chelish authorities, it would be better to find a diplomatic resolution rather than resort to violence. The situation remains tense here."
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Once ready, your group pilots the dinghy into the Pillars of Anferita at mid-day, where countless gulls build nests on small perches in the towering, salt-encrusted columns of rock.
You have no difficulty finding the stairs — first discovered years earlier by the Pathfinder Benton Grone and well documented in the Pathfinder Chronicles — hidden partway up the guano-speckled cliff. The claustrophobic stairs lead to lower Rachikan, which resides within a series of huge cathedral-like caverns. The majority of lower Rachikan is lightless with sloping walls of crumbling rock and protruding Jistkan architecture rising to the ceiling hundreds of feet above. Ancient masonry walls make up the remains of the ruined architecture, and natural columns stretch from floor to ceiling in particularly large chambers.
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Brallenera asks the quartermaster if they still have a Ioun Torch in stock, and pay the price if they ahve the item
Price 75 gp; Aura strong universal; CL 12th; Weight —
This item is merely a burned out, dull gray ioun stone with a continual flame spell cast upon it. It retains the ability to float and orbit, and allows the bearer to carry light and still have his hands free. It may be in any crystalline shape common to ioun stones (ellipsoid, prism, sphere, and so on).
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Ranalus has a Continual Light coin heightened to 5th level, but does not need it at the moment with his allies' Ioun Torches active. He has his bow in one hand.
He'll walk along towards the middle of the party.
"Should we come to a door, allow me to use my gifts to peer through it before we open it."
Ginger chews on her glowing branch (Light spell) that she carries in her left forearm. She smiles broadly and shivers occasionally from the icy armor that her master has summoned around her.
@GM Erich - I am going to assume that you are going to rule that Ice Armor works as regular Breastplate (with speed reductions and penalties to certain skills). If this is not the case please let me know. :)
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Several decrepit Jistkan buildings protrude from a sea of stone amid an ancient skyline, the building’s original ground floors now buried long ago by frequent earthquakes. Most of you can spot several depressions that indicate where a building may have collapsed and caused a sinkhole. The entire floor is buried under yards of debris, making it hard to progress.
Ranalus and The Rock are certain they hear many creatures hiding in the darkness to the west, but none can be currently seen.
The Rock <mage armor, barkskin, heightened awareness>
Orange Creature
Ginger* <ice armor, longstrider, barkskin, magic fang, greater resinous skin>
Ranalus
Brallenera*
Red Creature
Setare <mage armor>
Rallas* <longstrider>
Zeno
Yellow Creature
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Before disembarking, Zeno makes an unusual purchase from the ship's quartermaster: A small quantity of darkwood bark.
Once in the ruins, he uses some of it in his mage armor spell, as well as a dash of natron to complement another, more powerful warding spell...
...and finally drawing a strange-looking wand - a long, slender pillar of geometric shapes, each made of a different material (jade, platinum, blue maize, obsidian, lacquered cinnabar, rock honey, bismuth, and some sort of sturdy colorful fungus, among others) - and waving it gently over everyone in turn (save for Ginger, the wand has already seen much use), who each briefly hear an ethereal tone and strange sensation:
Ginger looks around and she does not spot any danger. She keeps her guard up.
(Full Defense +6 AC)
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The group prepares for battle, but the cavern remains still - the silent darkness inviting you closer...
The Rock <mage armor, barkskin, heightened awareness, produce flame>
Orange Creature
Ginger* <ice armor, longstrider, barkskin, magic fang, greater resinous skin> - full defense
Ranalus <DR 10/cold iron>
Brallenera* - delayed
Red Creature
Setare <mage armor>
Rallas* <longstrider>
Zeno <mage armor, false life 8, heightened awareness>
Yellow Creature
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Setare moves forward in a defensive position!
• AC while fighting defensively vs. ranged attacks: 35 Touch 30 FF 22
(+6 Cha Scaled Fist Monk, +7 Dex, Dodge feat +1, +1 Nimble/dodge, Natural Armor +1, Deflection +1, Fighting Defensively +4 (+2, + 1 ‘Crane Style’, + 1 Acrobatics 3 ranks) [only -2 on attack rolls due to Crane Style while fighting defensively’] + 4 Mage Armor
• AC while fighting defensively vs. melee attacks: 39, Touch 34, FF 22
(+6 Cha Scaled Fist Monk, +7 Dex, Dodge feat +1, +1 Nimble/dodge, Natural Armor +1, Deflection +1, Fighting Defensively +8 (+2, + 1 ‘Crane Style’, +4 ‘Crane Wing’, + 1 Acrobatics 3 ranks) [only -2 on attack rolls due to Crane Style while fighting defensively’] + 4 Mage Armor
• AC while fighting defensively vs. melee attacks of one designated opponent: 45, Touch 40, FF 22
(+6 Cha Scaled Fist Monk, +7 Dex, Dodge feat +1, +1 Nimble/dodge, Natural Armor +1, Deflection +1, Fighting Defensively +13 (+2, + 1 ‘Crane Style’, +4 ‘Crane Wing’, + 1 Acrobatics 3 ranks, +5 ‘Osyluth Guile’) [only -2 on attack rolls due to Crane Style while fighting defensively’] + 4 Mage Armor
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The dwarf scoots forward over the broken ground, passing Rallas who continues his wandcraft. Setare hops lithely across the rubble and into the heart of darkness and is greeted by the full force of those waiting.
The two large creatures strike first, bursting from the ground as Setare passes by, then scrambling to her trying to tear into her with simultaneous attacks from their vicious rows of teeth. Their thick armored plates glisten with a shiny reddish sheen. Thick drops of poison ooze from their fangs as they lurch back aiming to strike again.
As if coordinated, a screaming band of dusky gray humanoids emerge as well, moving in to engage.
Zeno <mage armor, false life 8, heightened awareness>
The Rock <mage armor, barkskin, heightened awareness, produce flame>
Ginger* <ice armor, longstrider, barkskin, magic fang, greater resinous skin>
Ranalus <DR 10/cold iron>
Brallenera*
Setare <mage armor>
Rallas* <longstrider, shield>
Orange Creature
Yellow Creature
Red Creatures
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"These are demonic bullettes called Ichor Sharks and the humanoids are Morlocks!!"
Setare continues to fight defensively in her crane style!
She targets the evil with her inner strength and activates her boots of speed and flurries with her Cestus to attack the demonic bullette with the orange skin.
"These thi ... things are huge ..." Setare says with some respect in her voice.