Both Abdara and Solomon hustle towards the river as fast as they can manage, given the undergrowth. Abdara also hollers out a suggestion to the struggling Janira, hoping that the halfling can lure the minotaur back towards the group.
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Janira
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Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
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Minotaur
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Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Gnoda is UP!
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"Mmmm, still a problem, the man-bull is. Let me try something."
Too far away for his usual mind-tricks, Gnoda reaches into his very well-packed bag and retrieves one of the scrolls that Janira left. Focusing on the essence of the cosmic life force, Gnoda attempts to use the scrolls magic...
...the task is difficult, but Gnoda doesn't give up so easily!
...and unleashes the cosmic life force, infusing the local flora with new energy and causing it to reach out and entangle the minotaur.
Gnoda steps forwards.
Unable to pull from his own bag of tricks Gnoda decides to pull from Janira's and grabs a scroll out of the bag she left behind earlier. It's a bit of a struggle to activate it but as he does, the plants across the river begin to grow and wind around anything within reach. They try to wind around the minotaur but the beast is surprisingly quick and manages to evade the grasping plants!
The minotaur isn't a fool and he's quick to move outside the reach of the plants before taking a swing at Janira with his broken axe...
...but Janira sees this one coming and ducks under the swing, much to the minotaur's displeasure!
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Janira
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Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
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Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Felix and Pelagos are UP!
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Pelagos hustles forward, crossbow in hand. Lining up a shot, he looses the bolt with a satisfying thunk!
For a moment, it looks like it'll sail straight into the beast's eye, but a fortuitous turn of the Minotaur's great skull causes the bolt to strike the thick bone of his forehead instead.
________
Pelagos moves towards the river and raises his crossbow, firing a bolt that sinks into the minotaur's flank and elicits a roar of pain and surprise! Felix follows the rest of his companions towards the water, drawing out a spear in anticipation of throwing it.
Janira throws a glance across the river at everyone and, satisfied that help is on the way, finally decides that discretion is the better part of valor. She begins to withdraw, attempting to execute a tumbling roll to evade the minotaur's long reach...
...but though her roll isn't quite good enough, neither is the minotaur's aim with his axe and he misses as Janira manages to get out of his immediate reach. She beelines towards the river and attempts to jump it...
...and somehow manages it, even in her fatigued state, though she stumbles and goes down on her hands and knees as she lands.
*huff* "L-Let us remember the sacrifice of the f-fabled Yasmin bint Faroud," *wheeze* "favored of the Ten, who gave her life distracting Zythrustianax, draconic scourge of the Society, so dozens of junior agents could survive. Her act of benevolence is the epitome of cooperation within the S-Society!" she gasps.
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Janira
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Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Abdara, Solomon and Gnoda are UP!
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"Mmmmm, beware minotaur! The cosmic life force itself opposes you!"
Janira is still in trouble, mmmm, but the weak-willed are easily manipulated.
Seeing the dangerous position that Janira is in, Gnoda comes up with a ploy to protect her. He steps forwards and focuses his will, and a large tree grows right over her, protecting her and hiding her in its mighty branches.
Solomon stays where he's at and chucks a spear across the river at the minotaur, sinking it into the beast's shoulder in spite of the distance!
Fearing that Janira isn't quite out of the woods just yet, Gnoda steps forward and conjures some protection for the halfling in the form of a mighty tree...or so it seems.
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Janira
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Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Abdara is UP!
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“Wizard! Thank-you for the tree, Gnoda.”
“Osprey told me the story of the Zythrustianax and the Shadow Lodge siege back in 4711.”
Abdara activates her spring-loaded wrist sheath with a *clang* dropping Janira’s wand of CLW into her hand.
“Mute nightingale! I was in First Form when Osprey slew one of the Wyrm’s adult sons.”
She hurries 15 feet through the hindered terrain into the ‘cover of Gnoda’s tree’ beside the halfling, who receives a quick ✨tap.
"Splendid theme and oratory, Janira."
Abdara also takes shelter under Gnoda's tree, which is totally real. As she does she pops Janira's wand into her hand, courtesy of a spring-loaded wrist sheath, and gives the injured halfling a tap. Some of Janira's wounds mend and close and a couple of large bruises fade; she's still injured but looking much better than she was a few seconds ago.
Angered that his prey has eluded him, the minotaur snarls and stomps towards the river. Rather than try to jump, he simply attempts to wade across it...but the rushing waters are too strong! While the minotaur doesn't lose his footing he finds himself checked by the water's flow, unable to push forward. But he can still reach the 'tree' where Janira and Abdara are hiding.
"Jūsu mazā koku burvība jūs neglābs!" the beast roars, taking a swing at the thing with his axe. By all accounts it looks like it should've hit, but...nothing really happens? The minotaur's expression is now puzzled as well as frustrated.
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Janira
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Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Felix and Pelagos are UP!
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With the Minotaur swinging through the tree and clearly noticing something is up, Pelagos moves towards it. Inhaling as deeply as he can, he forcefully exhales, but instead of typical air, he expels a bank of fog!
"To the mountain! It has many narrow passages!" he suggests.
________
Sensing that Gnoda's protective magics will only go so far now that the minotaur is trying to cut down the tree (that's totally real), Pelagos moves forward and conjures up a cloud of mist that hides himself, Janira, and Abdara from view!
______________
Janira
==============
Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Felix is UP!
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With the minotaur busy attacking the 'tree' he sees his chance to strike. Tossing his javelin at the creature, he then moves forward closer to the water's edge while drawing his spear.
"Come on then; I feel like having steak for dinner tonight!"
He hopes his taunt is conveyed in tone, if perhaps not through the language barrier!
Felix hefts the javelin in his hand at the minotaur, sticking it into the beast's leg to great effect. He then moves closer to the river as he draws his spear, taunting his foe to focus its attention on him instead of the others.
From within the mist, Janira staggers to her feet. Though the minotaur can't see her through the mist it can hear the sounds of movement and swings its axe...
...but misses the halfling by a country mile.
"Th-thanks, Pathfinders! Things were getting kinda hairy there," she exclaims as she falls back a little further into the mist. Though she no long sings out words of encouragement her oratory still seems to linger in the air, continuing to provide you all with courage.
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Janira
==============
Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Abdara, Solomon and Gnoda are UP!
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With a cloud of fog now covering Janira and his 'tree', Gnoda allows his own magic to fade.
The old scholar ambles around the edges of the mist, to catch sight of the man-bull. Seeing it engaged with the two pathfinder warriors, he holds his crossbow at the ready.
Hoping to finish off the minotaur for good, Solomon gets a running start and crashes into the minotaur with a flying clothesline! The beast doesn't fall but he now looks incredibly injured and bloody and probably regrets his life choices at this point. Solomon drops into the river...
...and is promptly swept further downstream despite his efforts to navigate the water.
Having done what he wanted it to Gnoda dismisses his illusory tree and tries to take a shot at the minotaur with his crossbow but it's a tricky shot to make with allies standing in the way and the bolt flies a little too high.
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Janira
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Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Abdara is UP!
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Abdara moves 15 feet, stepping out of the mist in front of the minotaur, dropping her javelin at Felix’s feet.
She then begins ✨casting grease defensively on the bull-creature’s axe.
Abdara emerges from the mist and adopts a defensive position as she conjures a thick film of grease all over the minotaur's battleaxe. The beast fumbles with the weapon for a moment...and then drops it!
Incredibly injured and weaponless, the minotaur seems to have finally had enough. He quickly withdraws back out of the river and heads for the nearby hills, though the going is slower than normal as the minotaur is forced to skirt around Gnoda's entanglement spell as well as stomp through some undergrowth.
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Janira
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Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Felix and Pelagos are UP at the bottom of Round 3 and Abdara, Solomon, Gnoda are UP in Round 4!
Solomon swims against the current and while he doesn't get pulled any further downstream neither does he manage to make any progress towards the shore.
At least the water's not too cold?
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Janira
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Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Felix and Pelagos are UP at the bottom of Round 3 and Abdara, Gnoda are UP in Round 4!
With the minotaur having turned tail and ran, Felix turns his attention to something more important - fishing his companion out of the river. He hustles along the creek and holds out his spear for Solomon to grab hold of!
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Janira
==============
Abdara
Solomon
Gnoda
==============
Minotaur
==============
Felix
Pelagos
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions: Dim Light, Entangle (Red Grid), Light Undergrowth (Green Squares)
Pelagos is UP at the bottom of Round 3 and Abdara, Gnoda are UP in Round 4!
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Believing her own ability to help Solomon is negligible compared to that of Felix’s, Abdara takes a moment to think over Gnoda’s words.
He has proven he’s known what he’s talking about throughout our adventure.
Nodding once, she draws Janira’s flask of acid and launches it with all her might in a 45º angle at the fleeing minotaur.
Though the minotaur tries to flee, Pelagos and Gnoda have other ideas. The gnome calls for the firebug to dismiss his mist, which he does, whereupon the wizened gnome plants a bolt squarely in the fleeing minotaur's back! With a mighty cry the beast topples forward and is still.
Looks like meat's back on the menu!
Or...maybe not. After all, eating sentient creatures tends to be frowned upon in many societies. Not to mention you have no idea where that minotaur has been.
It also looks like Abdara won't need to throw that acid flask in her hand after all.
"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! You killed it!" Janira cheers from further up the bank, even doing a little happy dance in spite of her obvious fatigue. "That was amazing!"
Some nearby splashing catches her attention and Janira realizes that Solomon is still flailing about in the creek. "Whoops! Let's get Solomon out of the drink and then...then we can take a rest. I sure need one! But you did make it through the caves? I want to hear all about it!"
And with the threat of the minotaur gone it's an easy enough thing for the rest of you to help Solomon get back onto dry land.
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Gnoda looks quizzically at the business end of his crossbow. Mmmmm, did I miss my calling?
"The caves hold a site sacred to Aroden, where the Gillmen still venerate the Last Azlanti. We have some drawings. Now, rest I will, mmmmm. Yes. Rest."
Gnoda sits down on the grass and looks to be about to fall asleep.
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♫ O! The 'Finder and the Cowman cain’t be friends!
O! The 'Finder and the Cowman cain’t be friends!
One chap likes asking why and how?
The other likes eating us as chow.
And that’s good reason why they cain’t be friends! ♫
Abdara links arms to jig in a circle with Janira, before handing her off to swing with a sleepy Gnoda, while the noblewoman pairs up to dance with Pelagos.
“There’s an alternative exit tunnel that likely contains undead. A note of that and the pit trap Solomon neutralized should probably go into the report for VC Shaine.”
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“My friend, it is not about how easy or difficult the task is. The issue is duty.”
“We have successfully built on our Guide’s initial report to supply the Society with more knowledge about an older culture whose lands we share. Information that will surely further the Society’s political interests, while confirming a new opportunity for scholarship.”
“Do the possible undead present a potential danger to those who follow us? Sure.”
“But if the undead were despatched, what’s to say something worse wouldn’t take their place? I do not intend to spend the next six months guarding these caves – regardless of how good the company is!”
The bard shakes her head. “We have a responsibility to return safely and expediently to VC Shaine with the knowledge we have collected. And I am positive any personal desire for a well-earned bath, a half bottle of Chenin blanc and my own bed does not affect my viewpoint!”
Abdara smiles and punches the brawler on the arm. “Sadly, our time here is done. It’s time to leave the thrill of adventure to the next batch of Initiatives.”
“You see, Solomon we’re all but officially confirmed as Pathfinders!”
"Another important lesson of being a Pathfinder is figuring out when to push ahead and when to fall back," Janira agrees. "Normally I'd be all for at least doing a little reconnaissance, but...to be honest, I'm beat. I led that beast all over the place and just couldn't shake him! I wouldn't be a whole lot of help in another scrape right now."
She gives Solomon a pat on the arm. "Don't worry, we'll make a note of it so future agents will know to be wary."
______________
After taking a bit of time to listen to everything you've seen and discovered about the caves, Janira calls for camp to be made just outside of this second cavern entrance as everyone is growing visibly tired from what's been a very long day. The night thankfully passes uneventfully and you all wake to the bright sunshine streaming through the branches of the trees overhead.
With Janira curious to see the inside of the caves for herself you all retrace your steps back through the numerous tunnels and caves, stopping periodically to point out landmarks such as where you fought the young gelatinous cube and where you encountered the mites. When you return back to the large chamber containing the pool of water and the miniature carving of Absalom you find Uori preparing to make his own return trip to his home in Escadar. He's pleased to see you all alive and well and thanks you again for your help in making the caverns a safer place of pilgrimage for his people. After a bit of chatter, wherein Janira visibly restrains herself from bombarding the gillman with questions, Uori agrees to accompany the group back through the forest - after the encounter with the minotaur, better safe than sorry.
The return trip through the forest is uneventful and you all make camp at the same place that you stopped at on your trip out to the caverns, just off the road. After another evening of campfire stories and marshmallows (which Uori finds absolutely incredible and delicious) the next day dawns and you part ways with your gillman companion, his path leading north while yours lies to the east. The last day of your trip back to Absalom is marked by good weather and cheery dispositions - everyone is returning alive and surely after all that you've learned, your Confirmation will be marked a success. Though given more to oratory than song, Janira can't help but sing as you near Absalom's gates.
~All Lamashtu's creatures have a place in the fire
Some burn low and some burn higher
Some scream out loud on the funeral pyre
Some just flail their Hands or Paws
Or anything they got now~
"Learned that one from a fellow named Brobdingnagian - or Brob for short," Janira explains afterwards with a grin. "Oh! There's the city gates, just up ahead! Come on, we're almost home!"
______________
Your trip into the foothills of the Kortos Mountains completed, Janira leads you all through the busy streets of Absalom back to the Grand Lodge where Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shane awaits. Upon learning that everyone has returned safely he whisks you all, including Janira, into his office.
"Welcome, welcome! It's so good to see that you've all returned safely," he greets you as he hops up into a sitting position on his desk. "Janira will give me her own report later but for now, I want to hear from you as this was your Confirmation! What exactly lies inside those caves? Were you able to learn anything about the gillmen? Please, tell me everything - leave no detail out!" he gushes, clearly eager to hear your stories.
______________
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"Oh, uh, I didn't expect to have to talk about this, well there was some signs of Aroden worship from what appeared to be an era prior to what we know of him. Like, um... his Twelve Guises, right? These looked like they represented values slightly different than what we know them to be today," Pelagos tries to explain. With a sigh, he shuts up and offers up a paper where he sketched one of the Guises.
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Once you've given Master Shane your reports, he beams at all of you, quite pleased. "Well done, well done indeed," he applauds. "It seems to me that you all performed your duties in an exemplary manner! Of course, how could we expect any less? You were guided by an equally exemplary teacher," he says as he nods at Janira, who practically bounces up and down with delight at the praise. "Congratulations! You are all now the foremost authorities on these caverns and what they contain - so I think it only fair that you get the honor of naming them, eh Janira?"
"Oh yes, I agree completely Master Shane!" Janira nods enthusiastically. "Not many new initiates or agents receive the honor of naming a site or artifact! How lucky you all are!"
Master Shane hops off of his desk and strides forward, shaking each one of you by the hand. "It's my honor to promote each of you to the status of full Pathfinder field agents. Oh, there'll be a little ceremony of sorts later to make it more official-like, don't worry! I expect some of you will be hearing from Master Farabellus and others from Master Zey within the next few days on that regard. Until then, go and rest - you've more than earned it. You too, Janira! Now go! Shoo!" he laughs as he ushers you all back out of his office.
______________
True to his word, after a few days of relaxing and taking it easy, each of you are approached by one of the Masters - Felix and Solomon by Master Farabellus, Gnoda and Pelagos by Master Zey, and Abdara by Master Shane himself - who confirm you as full-fledged Pathfinder agents. As part of the ceremony each of you are also gifted with your very own wayfinder, personalized with your name as well as the words Explore, Report, Cooperate - words that you all have taken to heart during your adventure together and that you will be expected to uphold for as long as you remain a member of the Pathfinder Society. With your Confirmation complete, each one of you is now ready to go forward...and make the Society proud.