For years a Pathfinder team has surveyed Qadira's Zho Mountains in an attempt to reconcile its twisting valleys with a series of old maps recovered years ago on the Silken Way. When the team disappears soon after reporting a strange illusory effect in a mountain pass, the Society sends the PCs—funded by an unusual benefactor—to uncover whatever is hidden in those peaks and rescue the agents.
This will be the gameplay when we get started, feel free to dot in.
Your presence has been requested at the Pathfinder lodge in Katheer, the capital of Qadira, where you are to meet Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi.
You have arrived in Katheer, the bustling marketplace city that serves as the forward frontier of the Padishah empire. There is an intense dry heat during the day, and the sweet smells of spices and incense waft on the breeze.
The lodge is pristine and expensively appointed, with rich varnished woods everywhere in a more Avistani style than the other nearby buildings. You wait for your meeting with the Venture-Captain in an antechamber that features a numbers of cushioned lounge chairs and bowls of fresh fruit. As you arrive you see a number of other agents also gathered, also awaiting the meeting.
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"Hi everyone, I'm Tsadoc and this is Martin and we're going on an adventure!" Tsadoc Sem is a heavy set man, with short legs Tsadoc has three long horns on his head, which seem to be made of living crystal.
Martin-son of Dan-son of Tiger also has short legs and a long tail, but not unusually short for a stegosaurus. He has bony plates along his back, and four long spike on his tail.
Both wear an almost constant half-grin and can be excitedly cheerful about almost anything.
"Did any of you see the hawk trainer's out here? Qadira has a long tradition of using the tawny raptors for hunting." Tsadoc pulls in close "And sometimes they can even train one of the giant eagles!"
"It's so cool!" they say slapping a high five with each other.
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Almaas is a Dwarven archer and devout follower of Erastil.
He wears no armor, is well groomed and has a slightly arrogant and distant behavior.
”Almaas is my name! Finally an adventure near home!!"
Almaas seems to be in the mood for a lecture. He looks at his fellow Pathfinders, especially Tsadoc Sem and his companion.
"I want you all to behave and be civil as this is a Society mission in Qadira!"
He looks at all of you like a father that teaches his children.
"For once, I hope that you have listened to the preaching of followers of Erastil in your communities! It is always important to feel a spark of family, community, and duty in your hearts! I will help you with that!“
You clearly notice that Almaas can really go on one’s nerves with his preaching.
A halfling walks in, immediately reaching over and helping herself to some of the fresh fruit.
In between munches, she introduces herself. "Enora, pleased ta meetcha!"
She listens to Almaas for a bit, and sees him staring at her for interrupting his lesson. She looks around at Tsadoc, trying to determine whether this is some kind of practical joke. When it's clear that it's not, she grabs a second piece of fruit and then plops down on the chair to listen as best as she can. She offers a bit of fruit to the stegosaurus without asking permission.
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A large, heavily cloaked figure walks into the antechamber, the heavy cloak making it hard to determine what this humanoid is. It looks around and seems to sniff as well. After the few moments of scanning the room the figure pulls back the hood to reveal a head that seems to be a cross between a bear and a man.
"Hello," the bear-man says with a deep voice and a head nod. "Plees forgive weil. My appearance tyend to cause normal peeple alarm. I am Abram Ivanov. Myany fellow pyathfinders have tyaken to call me Byarry."
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"You're from Qadira Almaas? Welcome home!" Tsadoc says excitedly. "Where was your last mission? Please, tell me all about it?"
"Hi Enora! Hi Abram" After listening to Abram's story, Tsadoc says, "Yeah, some people call me Sam, which is weird because my name Sam."
He will ask the others about their stories as well. "It sounds so cool!"
After a short wait the door to Venture-Captain Esmayl ibn Qaradi's office opens and you see the Pathfinder looking rather glum. He invites you inside and takes a seat behind his immaculately clean desk. He sighs, and begins to address you.
“Originally, I wasn’t planning on sending a team back out to the Zho Mountains. The risk of losing another team is, frankly, too high. If that weren’t enough of a reason, the Society’s assault on the Worldwound has left the lodge’s coffers much lighter— too light to fund another expedition into dangerous territory so soon. However, following some conversations with fellow agents, I am reminded that all Pathfinders must come home— no matter the cost, no matter the danger. The lessons of the Shadow Lodge still resonate.”
He nods toward a Pathfinder who stands silently in the corner.
“In fact, the recent disappearance in the Zho Mountains has brought a surge of monetary support from the onetime disciples of Grandmaster Torch. It was enough to finance your voyage here, and I would happily provide you the remainder if you succeed.”
The venture-captain stands and takes a few steps toward a map of Qadira hanging from his wall.
“Six years ago, a team of Pathfinders received a map of an unexplored area in the Zho Mountains, and ever since they have stayed busy surveying the region and sending me updates. Until recently, they had uncovered only a few dozen small sites and a plethora of new plant and animal species, but their most recent update referenced a large illusory barrier. Since then we have not heard from them, and I believe they found something dangerous beyond."
“I ask that you use what notes I have on file to track down these agents and make sure they return safely. Investigating the nature of this illusory... field, barrier, shield... is secondary at best."
Esmayl pauses for a moment before continuing.
“If you have any questions, I shall answer them as best I can, though most of what the Society knows about the mountains is in the logbooks of those agents.
"The Zho Mountains? There are feral beasts, draconic monsters, and other dangerous creatures there! What was the first team looking for there?"
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"You're from Qadira Almaas? Welcome home!" Tsadoc says excitedly. "Where was your last mission? Please, tell me all about it?"
Almaas looks at Tsadoc with nod and starts telling his tale!
“Well yes, it is great to be home!! And my last mission.. you surely know that the cataclysmic Earthfall shattered the ancient Thassilonian civilization, and like its slumbering runelords who fled the destruction, many ruins lie hidden. The Ironbound Archipelago was once part of Edasseril, kingdom of envy, and word reached the Pathfinder Society that an ancient ruin had emerged on the isle of Flintyreach. My fellow Pathfinders and I gained the local half-orcs’ trust and we braved the resident giants’ wrath to secure this archaeological treasure!! It was a great win for our community!!“
**
Almaas nods at the venture captain with respect.
“I absolutely agree that we have to take care of our community’s members!! And those that hurt our fellow Pathfinders will be punished!!“
“Hmm .. it is common knowledge that the Zho Mountains are home to feral beasts, draconic monsters, and other dangerous creatures!“ he says looking at you.
“But few know that Qadira’s spellcasters have long practiced elemental magic and conjured genies, and geniekin are relatively common in the region. It is believed that most have gravitated toward settlements in the Zho Mountains, though nobody seems able to confirm this rumor!“ and he takes out a notebook.
“I know that the few explorers who’ve tried to locate these communities have found the mountains to be deceptively difficult to navigate, and what looks like a mountain pass from afar is often merely a mirage!“
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Almaas looks at the VC.
“What other information can you give us on the area and the potential threats we might face?!“
Crowe is here
To Enora's question, Esmayl replies "The first team went to the mountains after receiving the map I mentioned. There were rumours of a great treasure in the mountains, and because the region was so poorly documented they felt and extended survey was appropriate"
To Almaas he says "You seem very well informed, that's excellent. I have little I can add, except to expect the worst. Not many people have been able to settle in the mountains. Those who try either never return, or return badly hurt and scarred forever"
He also takes a leather satchel from beside his desk and passes it to you.
"These supplies ought to help you in your mission. Equip yourselves with anything you may need, the markets of Katheer are extensive, but don't worry about provisions, I'll have an agent meet you outside the lodge in the morning with horses and food for the journey. Good luck."
The bag contains a potion of remove curse, a potion of cure serious wounds, six potions of endure elements, and two doses of oil of taggit.
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"New animal species?!? Tsadoc's eyes open wide. He turnsnto Martin, "We really are going on adventure! Do you think we will see any new bears? What about wolves? Or maybe a new cricket!" Tsadoc starts chirping and going through all the animals he knows to be in the area while preparations are underway.
"Let's start with their logs, can we get a copy? Can we get a copy of the map?. The druid will also ask how far from here they are? How long have they been lost & how did they report?
Esmayl looks sad at the mention of the map.
"Unfortunately copies of the map were entrusted to a select few pathfinders, and I do not have a copy. I can provide you with a copy of the notes that they have sent me, it may provide some insight into the mountain range"
After completing your preparations, you meet an agent outside the lodge the following morning, as promised. She has a dozen horses ready for you, all stocked with provisions for your journey. She wishes you a "Good Luck!" as you set off.
The first part of your journey is uneventful, and you reach the foothills of the Zho mountains in just under a week.
Finding the trail of the previous pathfinders will test your survival skills to their limit.
Enora reads a book while everyone else keeps their eyes open.
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Tsadoc & Martin start humming a tune "We're going on an adventure, we don't know what's in store.
We've got our stuff from the closet, 'n we're heading out the door."
Along the trek, Tsadoc reads the Pathfinder's notes to Martin (and anyone else who wants to listen).
The shaman and dinosaur are experienced outdoors folk and stop often to take notes of the plants, unusual weathering, and of course, the animals.
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"Whoa! You can do that?! Abram that is so cool!!" Tsadoc says as he touches the amulet centered on his chest. His face gains a snout and rounded ears and his legs lengthen like those of a bear. After a minute the changes disappear. "As a full bear I'd be much smaller than you Abram," he says with much awe in his voice.
Abram and Tsadoc lead the way through the foothills, each finding subtle signs of passage to follow that allows you to make excellent time.
The trails winds gradually higher and higher, taking you several dozen miles into the mountains and several thousand feet higher in altitude. The trail leads into an alpine meadow filled with scrube brush and dry grasses that cling to thin soil, where it abruptly vanishes.
As you explore the area, Almaas and Tsadoc both soon realize that something is amiss. As they interacts with the flora they begins to see the image of the meadow shimmer and waver as if seeing it in the surface of a rippling pool. Peering through, they can see the truth beneath it, the cliffs at the far end actually part to reveal a much larger valley beyond.
With Almaas and Tsadoc to help the rest of the group see through the illusion, you all are eventually able to pierce it and see through to see a large wall encircling a humble town of stone structures in the distance. An immense castle built of bronze bricks towers over the settlement from its perch just above the base of a nearby mountain.
You move toward the settlement to investigate, and as you approach you see two guards on the wall beside the gate that hail you. They have reddish skin and horns, and hair that shimmers as if aflame.
None of you understand the language, and as you look to each other to see any of you understood, they continue in another language, this time one which Tsadoc understands.
"These are ifrit!"
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Once piercing the illusion Tsadoc considers sending a message to venture captain to update the map. He instead quickly updates one of his own.
The oread signals the group to pause when the guards address them. Responding with sounds of rolling boulders and tapping staccato, that goes on for quite a while. In maybe a tenth of the time, and before the guards responds, he translates for the rest of the group.
"Hi! I am Tsadoc Sem Luxjed and I am on adventure! We are members of the Pathfinder Society, and we are looking for some of our associates." He introduces the others and then gives a brief account of their missing brethren starting with their discovery of the map. Finally, he ends with "My friends do not speak this language, do you speak Taldane?"
Crowe stands in the group leaning on his Earthbreaker and waiting for the conversation to move to something he understands or for Tsadoc to sort it out.
One of the guards listens to Tsadoc's reply, and switches to Taldane as requested. They grunt as he explains why you're here.
"You may enter Crystalcrag, keep the peace or face Queen Tygora's wrath! You should find lodgings first, all citizens must be indoors by nightfall by order of the Queen"
They then open the gate, and ignore any further questions.
Walking through the gate, you find a bustling town filled mostly with Oreads like Tsadoc, but with some Ifrit like the guards too. Many are going about their business and you notice some shy but respectful glances, obvious interest at the newcomers. The architecture is impressive, intricate stone buildings decorated with expert carvings.
Across from the gate is a large open plaza with a beautiful crystal sculpture at its centre. It's mostly surrounded by dwellings, but a larger building is clearly marked with the name Council House in Terran Across a road from it is another large building, this one with a swinging sign that reads Fifth Facet Tavern, also in terran.
Enora asks the guards if they've seen a group of Pathfinders come through here recently. She'll show them a wayfinder if they don't know what Pathfinders are, and ask if anyone carrying one of these has been through.
Once inside, she'd want to look for a library, but is too scared to leave the group so she'd just follow wherever people went.
Crowe addresses the party. Indoor by nightfall. Do we have lodgings or should we find an open area to camp?
Enora asks the guards about a group of Pathfinders, but they just grunt and say "Move along" impatiently. Tsadoc has a little better luck getting some information out them though, and they do give a little away.
"The tavern should have rooms. Now get going!". Their hands move to their weapons, and they do not answer the question about the reason for the curfew.
Almaas tries to talking to a few locals, the first few of whom say something in Terran and bow apologetically. Tsadoc can confirm that they each say some variation of "I'm sorry, I can't talk" After a few such interactions though, an oread approaches you. He has hair-thin cracks in his skin and appears quite elderly and frail. He speaks in heavily accented common.
"Greetings, welcome to Crystalcrag. My name is Eurdan Stonemantle, a councillor here. Would you care to follow me to somewhere more comfortable where we can talk"
He gestures in the direction of the Council House
"Ooh, by 'comfortable' do you mean someplace with food? I'm starving."
Almaas elbows her.
"Oh, I get it!"
Narrator: But she did not.
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"Hello Councillor Stonemantle. I'm Tsadoc and this is Martin, and this is Beary, and this is Crowe, Enora, and Almaas-he's from Qadira." Martin wags his tail at the mention of his name-which can be quite scary considering the huge spikes it bears.
Tsadoc confirms they have lodging for the night but agrees to go with the councillor as long as Crowe has no objections.
Crowe nods to the Councillor by way of greeting.
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Tsadoc whispers to Byarry "Sorry about that Abram, I just get nervous that people might think I am cheating." He points to Martin as if to say. "not a pack lord"
Councillor Stonemantle looks pleased when you agree to go with him, and nods appraisingly at Tsadoc, intrigued to see a fellow oread among the group of outsiders. He looks less pleased at being sniffed by Abram.
"Your animals can wait outside, or in the meeting hall if they're well behaved"
He leads you into the council building, through a large open area with seating for many and into a smaller meeting room. After you're inside he looks around for any signs of being overheard, and then closes the door and takes a seat himself.
"I understand you're looking for another group of travellers who arrived here a few weeks ago; a group who also carried strange compasses like you do"
Apparently having heard of Enora's wayfinder from the guards or some witnesses to the interaction, Euran continues.
"I'm sorry to say, these people are the guests of Crystalcrag's current ruler Tygora. She has likely had them imprisoned as insurrectionists. Let me start at the beginning."
He takes a deep breath and launches into the tale of Crystalcrag.
"Crystalcrag was once a thriving centre of trade and industry in the southern Zho mountains, an Oread settlement that served as a shining example of what we could achieve together. When the Zhonar and Zhobal volcanoes erupted nearly a thousand years ago, the town was devastated. My ancestors worked tirelessly to rebuild, and the crystal monument in the town plaza is pledged to their incredible effort. Yet much damage remained, and when this Efreeti Tygora arrived and offered the town a single wish out of the goodness of her heart at their plight, they wished for a rebuilt settlement, seclusion, and safety from the outside world."
He looks miserable as he reaches this part of the tale.
"As such things tend to go, the wish was granted, after a fashion. Tygora protected the town with powerful illusion magic, and rebuilt it - with her as absolute ruler. Our population has tended to be stoic and gotten on with life under these conditions, but over the last century or so things have changed. The volcanoes in the vicinity have grown more active, many Oreads have given birth to Ifrit children. Tygora takes these Ifrits and trains them as guards, trains them to look down on their parents. She is building an army, and has designs on other settlements in the region. Life under her thumb has become much worse as she drives us to work to provide for her ambitions. Last year Koriath, a member of our three person council tried to win concessions for the overworked townspeople, and simply disappeared. The atmosphere had been very tense since then, and then a few weeks ago your friends arrived."
He looks at you then apologetically.
"They objected to Tygora's cruel reign, and through their eyes many of the townspeople found a new perspective. They were a rallying point, and councillor Glaheri stood with them. I did not speak up."
His eyes examine your shoes as he continues.
"I was afraid, and rightly so it seems, for all these outsiders and Glaheri were rounded up and taken to the castle. I fear she has interrogated your friends and expects more to follow, because since then her demands have increased. Valsog at the forge works night and day on weapons and armour, and tithes on business for the army have increased to insane proportions. I am still afraid. Of what might happen now. Know that her castle is a fortress, to assault it without the support of the town would be suicide, but despite the depredations we have suffered, we are slow to anger, and her army is formed from the children of the townsfolk, even if they are not Oreads. Gaining support will be difficult. I fear for my own life if I were to support you openly, I am on the last councillor"
Enora's stomach begins growling as it becomes clear that "comfortable" does not mean "stuffed with bread pudding." Still, she manages to power through.
"If Tygora is powerful enough to grant wishes, why does she bother with taxes and rearing children? Why doesn't she just wish an army into existence?"
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Almaas is clearly concerned.
"So you community is ruled by a false queen for centuries and faces oppression. And our missing Pathfinder companions are held hostage by this oppressor." he says looking at the Oread.
"I want to see this queen and in the name of Erastil ask how she plans to allow this community to prosper and how we Pathfinders can find a common ground with her strategic agenda."
I think I can help you and I think my companions can also. We can work quietly
As he says quietly he taps his Earthbreaker with his hand.
Eurdan ponders Enora's question for a second before answering.
"Efreeti can only grant wishes to others. As to why she doesn't command one of her soldiers to wish for an army, I cannot say. Wish magic is subtle, and bound by rules I can't hope to understand. She may simply be so mistrustful of everyone that she can't bear the risk. Either way we have to deal with her"
As Almaas speaks he nods, but he speaks up when he mentions talking to her.
"Speaking with Tygora will be a problem. After what happened last time I expect she'll move on you as sooner rather than later, and she'd jump at the chance to "talk" with you, all the easier to imprison and interrogate you. No, your only hope of saving your friends is to work with the town to overthrow her"
Crowe seems to understand him, and Eurdan pats him on the shoulder.
"Good good, I can't be seen to aid you of course without putting myself at risk, but I wish you every success. I'd start at the Fifth Facet, ale causes discontent to rise to the surface in my experience"
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Almaas ponders about the discussion. He casts guidance on himself and addresses the Oread.
”Eurdan, this time you have to put your weight into the fight, too! For your community! And you have to explain what we can do change people’s minds - I mean why haven’t they done something in all these years??!“
"We didn't come here to start a rebellion, but this sounds like a terrible government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical igneous ceremony. You can't expect wield supreme power just because some fiery tart threw a wish at you!"