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You are in Absalom, the might City at the Center of the World, and you've always longed to explore one of the countless ruins of failed conquerors that litter the plains outside the city's walls.
You've heard rumors that one of the sealed siege castles has been laid open by a minor earthquake. Word on the street is that no one has yet entered the tower, which folks are calling the "Fallen Fortress." What better way to start a life of excitement and adventure than by exploring its long-abandoned, dusty halls and perhaps claiming its ancient treasures?
The group meets at the local tavern, the Spinning Whistle. Looking around, you hear another group start talking about heading toward the Fallen Fortress. Listening to them, sounds like they are in the early stages of planning.
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Sitting at a table in the Spinning Whistle, calmly holding a cup of green tea with both hands, Ken'ichi takes occasional sips from the cup. His long, black raven's beak dips into the cup that he raises only slightly, lapping up a small amount of tea, before lowering the cup again and tipping his head back to savor the taste, his eyes closed as if meditating on it.
The tengu is dressed simply, in almost peasant-like garb, though the armor over it would belie that thought. A well-made curved sword, a Tian katana, rests almost reverently on the table, and a coolie leans against the leg of his chair on the floor.
After a few moments, and the sounds of voices nearby seem to settle, Ken'ichi softly speaks over his own table. "It seems that the spirits have been speaking to others of this relic, as well. But such is the fickle natures of spirits. They do not play favorites, nor do they identify specifics in the living. We are as ephemeral to them as they are to us."
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Nonchalantly sitted on a chair near the tengu, an half elf woman was pouring some rum in her beer mug.
She wears a beautifully crafted chain shirt, and a shiny rapier by her side. A bandana ties her air, showing her pointed ears, and her fit, tanned body shows long hours spent in the outdoors.
By Besmara's salty kisses, I was hoping to be aboard some magnificent vessel, when I heard about this treasure hunt... Absalom is on an island, surrounded by seas... and we have to go inland? That's a cruel joke!
she sips some of her drink
So where are you from, matey? From which distant shores? Tell me your story, while we wait for others to join our crew.
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The white-haired elf sips wine from his flute as he walks by. "Perhaps then we are as hard to understand? An endless cycle of miscommunication between our two distinct realities." He looks about the tavern, "May I join you?" He waits a moment before taking a seat. "Thank you. I am Kelleran by the way. Nice to make your acquaintance." Looking around the room, "Is this establishment always so busy?"
His gear, while appropriate to the field, lacks any real wear. Kelleran sets down the glass he had been carrying and fiddles with his cuff, occasionally checking that the wand he placed in the concealed spring-loaded sheath is still there. He then checks the other arm. Assured everything is as it should be, he again takes up his drink. "Now then, where were we?"
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The white-haired elf sips wine from his flute as he walks by. "Perhaps then we are as hard to understand? An endless cycle of miscommunication between our two distinct realities." He looks about the tavern, "May I join you?"
Ken'ichi nods in both agreement and acceptance, motioning for the wizard to have a seat.
So where are you from, matey? From which distant shores? Tell me your story, while we wait for others to join our crew.
"I travel where ever the spirits take me," the sage tengu replies, "Though I suppose that you are looking for a more specific information, yes? My home was Kwanlai, but the spirits led me away before the most recent uprisings, and I was forced to abandon my master. Before, this would have been a grave dishonor, but the spirits showed me that there is a better way, a way for a free spirit: the way of the Ronin. So I have walked the land to serve the needs of the spirits, and for myself. The Pathfinders recently recruited me, and the way seemed to flow along with the spirits, for now."
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A tiny Halfling gal with what appears to be blonde hair that is badly dyed purple sits on a stool that's too tall for her playing a slow, but lovely tune on a flute. Her fingers appear to have burn wounds and perhaps she has an easier time moving them slowly. She finishes the tune and flashes a big smile around the tavern.
As she attempts to climb down from the over-sized stool, there is a barley visible flash of blue light as her skirt flies up leading to her mooning the tavern. She let's out a sharp retort of, "Glamoursten!"
She then gathers up the coppers thrown on the stage during her performance and begins skipping towards the bar. She stops, as if suddenly remembering something, and simply walks the rest of the way to the bar and orders a drink.
Shortly thereafter, the tiny gal makes her way over to the table with the rest of the group and brings her tankard which appears to contain...milk.
"Heya! Hope I didn't miss too much of the planning," she says, then pauses for a sip of milk. "I'm not really great at the whole strategy thing, but I do like listening so I can learn," and she gives a big smile to the group.
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A young man of Taldan descent enters the tavern in a bit of a hurry. His clothing and armour mark him as a devotee of Sarenrae. He strides over to the others and bows his head in greeting.
Good evening and the blessings of the Dawnflower to you all. I am Petro. My apologies for my tardiness...my summons was sent to the abbey while I was at home. What have I missed? he asks and then orders a mug of tea and some finger food from the barkeep.
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The half elf listens to the small girl's tune as she plays her flute, and grins when she moons the crowd
Nice way to get some more coppers! Girl is smartly playing the crowd, or maybe she didn't realise... She seems quite innocent
Evelyn is my name. And don't worry, lass, a good strategy only last until the fight starts. Then, it's always good to have at least a general idea of what everyone can and can't do. I'll say I'm a decent swordwoman, among other talents. But I sure can't play a tune like you. Next glass of milk is on my purse.
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After taking another sip from his tea, Ken'ichi sets the cup down and bows over clasped hands to the newcomers. "Be welcome. We have said little, and there is much yet to do. Sharing experience is certainly a good place to start. I, too, am one who lives by the sword, for as long as the spirits see fit. I am called Ken'ichi."
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Hearing the compliments from the Half-Elf woman, Orla blushes furiously and gives a delighted, "Thank you. Thank you so much!"
And as the conversation turns toward skills and abilities, Orla takes a moment to calm and focus herself. What did Janira tell me? Confidence. Confidence and a warm smile. Let them know that you have great powers to help with... and at that point, she was distracted from her thoughts by a tiny, blue fellow with what appeared to be dragonfly wings poking her on the forehead and then gesturing towards the rest of the table.
"Oh! Right. Yes. I'm a casty caster who casts!" she says, then cringes as she realizes how ridiculous that probably sounded. She takes a breath and tries again, "I have spells and magical abilities. I can't really use a weapon, but I can do some healing and my spells can hurt and hinder our enemies," she says. Then she nods to herself as if she's rather pleased that she nailed it.
At that point, the little blue being appears next to her head and whispers in her ear. "Orla! My name's Orla," and she smiles and goes back to sipping her milk.
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"Oh, I went on an adventure before. We fought a minotaur. It was really big! Janira, she's my friend, was really brave and tried to lead it away but we all stayed right there and helped her and fought it and then we explored caves and we fought stuff and made a new friend and learned a lot and it was really great and I'm really excited for this adventure too1" the little Halfling gushes, smiling in delight the whole time. Then she takes another sip of milk and kicks her legs happily as they dangle over the edge of her seat and well above the floor.
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It would be my.. third mission, I guess. So I hope this one will be full of money and treasures to spend.
This is said with much enthousiasm
And, of course, knowledges to preserve for the Society.
This is said with less enthousiasm
Whatever. As always, the Society can count on my cooperation. Let's wait a few more minutes, maybe someone else will join and pay or tab, with any luck.
Still, I can't believe Janira got attacked by a minotaur AGAIN. Little lass knows how to put herself in horny situations...
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While the tengu hasn't shown much in the way of emotion, the edges of his mouth lift up in a mild smile at the halfling girl's enthusiasm.
"I also have some experience working with the Pathfinders," Ken'ichi interjects. "Mostly, I have been brought in for my experience with spirits of varying kinds. My first mission was to work with Dr. Quolorum to unravel the mysteries around a haunted manor."
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Nodding at everyone's stories, the elf smiles with patience. "I too have been sent out a time or so by The Society. I'm afraid I have not progressed in my arcane studies to be much of a difference maker in a prolonged fight. However, I know which way to point my crossbow and I have learned a few things over my decades of Kyonin training."
He turns toward Orla, "Does your companion speak or offer advice? I chose to forgo the opportunity to take a familiar. I sometimes wonder if I am missing out on a valued, life-long relationship." It is clear his question is in earnest, perhaps with a hint of regret in his voice.
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Orla makes a bit of a face at the question about her "familiar."
Before she can answer, a tiny blue man with dragonfly wings, pants that appear to be leaves sewn together, and a shirt that appears to be a long leaf with a neck hole cut in the middle and a blade of grass tied around it as a belt suddenly appears in front of Kelleran and sticks his tongue out aggressively at him and immediately disappears.
"Yeah, he's not really my familiar," Orla begins, somewhat awkwardly, "I...I'm not really strong or powerful, but I wanted to help people, so I...I made an arrangement to get powers and Glamourstan is here to...keep an eye on me, I guess?[b]"
She then thinks about it for a moment while taking a sip of her milk and says, "[b]But yes, he gives me advice sometimes. It's even helpful some of the time. Not like that time when he told me the town guard really just wanted a hug and it turned out the guard did not want a hug and I might have gotten in serious trouble for 'assaulting an officer'" she says doing air quotes, "if Janira hadn't been there to talk our way out of it." The whole time she is sharing this story, there is a tiny sound of full belly laughing coming from somewhere near the group.
Orla looks like a grumpy child as she takes another drink of her milk. She then puts on a happier face and says, "But no, if you have the companionship of your adventuring party, that's the greatest companionship of all. Unless you have a fluffy animal friend. Those are the best!" and she happily takes another tiny drink of milk.
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A nervous-looking wayang enters the establishment and, seeing the group, approaches.
"I suppose this is the Society group yes? Even in Absalom such a collection of...interesting people is quite remarkable. I suppose I won't stand out as much among you."
"My name is Sombra and I'm an Arcanist, collector of arcane lore, and first time explorer."
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A nervous-looking wayang enters the establishment and, seeing the group, approaches.
"I suppose this is the Society group yes? Even in Absalom such a collection of...interesting people is quite remarkable. I suppose I won't stand out as much among you."
"My name is Sombra and I'm an Arcanist, collector of arcane lore, and first time explorer."
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Ken'ichi looks down at the strange, dark-skinned scholar, in the head-tilting manner that only avian creatures ever really seem to manage. "Hello there. You resemble a spirit that I met once. Were you ever a spirit? No, I suppose not, or the others probably wouldn't see you as readily. Please, join us."
At the Spinning Whistle, the group talks. Some may be official Pathfinders while others may just want an adventure. Orla manages to moon the whole tavern. Some patrons giggle while others look away. After introductions, the barmaid comes up to the group to start cleaning up. Must be time to go! The other competing group seem to have either fizzled out and lost interest - they must not be the adventurers you guys are.
So the group sets off to the Cairnlands. The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower's walls. The 80 ft tall tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower's darkened interior.
As the group approaches, they hear a growling as three wild dogs saunter out of the tower's entrance. They look hungry!
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Round 1
Evelyn
Kelleran
Green dog
Petro
*Sombra
Ken'ichi
Yellow
Blue
Orla
Kelleran knows that these dogs are just common street dogs. They do have a nasty bite, especially when they're hungry.
Both Kelleran and Evelyn shoot at the dogs with their crossbows. Neither seems to hit though. The dogs are too far away!
But the green dog sees its chance. It runs up towards Ken'ichi and chomps down on the tengu.
And it bites down hard on Ken'ichi's leg!
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Round 1
Evelyn
Kelleran
Green dog
Petro
*Sombra
Ken'ichi
Yellow
Blue
Orla
Kelleran knows that these dogs are just common street dogs. They do have a nasty bite, especially when they're hungry.
Both Kelleran and Evelyn shoot at the dogs with their crossbows. Neither seems to hit though. The dogs are too far away!
But the green dog sees its chance. It runs up towards Ken'ichi and chomps down on the tengu.
And it bites down hard on Ken'ichi's leg!
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Round 1
Evelyn
Kelleran
Green dog
Petro
*Sombra
Ken'ichi (-5 HP)
Yellow
Blue
Orla
Petro gets beside Ken'ichi and brings his morning star down on the dog.
[dice=attack]1d20+1; 1d8+1
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Ken'ichi seems to have been about to say something to the dog as it was running up to him, but he was a bit too slow as the dog clamps onto his leg. Looking more perturbed than angry, the Ronin sigh, placing his hand onto the hilt of his katana. "I was going to convince you to leave peacefully, but that was just rude. Charenji!" he yells at the mutt before doing a lightning-fast draw of his sword, leading into an immediate strike.
Swift Action: Challenge!
Full-Round Attack: Iajutsu Strike
Petro moves closer to the dog that bite Ken'ichi. Unfortunately, the dog is quick on it's feet and dodges his attack.
Sombra takes out his crossbow and aims at the yellow dog in the back. The bolt hits the creature in its hind leg - but that only enrages the dog even more.
All this happens while Ken'ichi looks at the dog in front of it. With a solid strike of his katana, the samurai slices the dog in front of him in half.
The two remaining dogs run up, their mouth's salivating.
The blue dog jogs right up to Kelleran and bites down hard.
The yellow dog attempts to do the same thing to Ken'ichi while standing over the corpse of his compatriot. But it must've slipped in some dog guts and can't seem to hit the tengu.
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Round 1-2
Evelyn
Kelleran (-5 HP)
Green dog
Petro
Sombra
Ken'ichi (-5 HP)
Yellow
Blue
Orla
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Orla takes a step back and sees the dogs coming at them. "Casty friend!" she calls out, seeing one going after Kelleran. "You leave him alone," she says, reaching up with her hand and pulling it down in a sharp, grasping motion.
Immediately, a chain erupts from the ground beneath the dog and slashes at it.
Unfortunately, the dog moves just as Orla casts and the chain hits nothing but air.
Orla steps back from the dogs. With an up and down motion, a chain erupts from the ground. The chain attempts to wrap around the dog but it's too quick on it's feet.
Kelleran summons a wand seemingly out of thin air. With a flick of his wrist, a missile erupts from the wand and blasts the dog. It yips and growls at the sorcerer.
Distracted from the missile attack, the dog doesn't see a bolt come from Evelyn. The crossbow bolt pierces it's chest and it falls down in pain, slowly dying from blood loss.
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Round 2
Evelyn
Kelleran (-5 HP)
Green dog
Petro
Sombra
Ken'ichi (-5 HP)
Yellow
Blue
Orla
With a swing of his morningstar, Petro knocks the dog out of its misery. Now the Pathfinders stand in front of the Fallen Fortress. One dog sliced in half, one with it's skull caved in, and one slowly bleeding to death.
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"Well fought, everyone!" Orla says brightly, even as she thinks, I was no help at all.
"Well, the tower's before us, brave friends. Time to be heroes!" and then you hear a sound like a squeaky, prolonged passing of gas. Orla simply blushes and says, "That wasn't me." From somewhere around you, you hear that tiny little full belly laugh you'd heard at the tavern.