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Despite his bulky armor, Shenzen actually comes close to avoiding being entangled by the vines.
Close.
He keeps his hands free for the moment, simply crossing his arms over his chest disapprovingly.
"Only a fool looks to potential allies and sees only enemies. And fools always suffer the consequences," he says, the words perhaps meant as advice but with an edge to them that is somehow threatening.
"Only a fool looks to potential allies and sees only enemies. And fools always suffer the consequences," he says
The centaurs look at each other and speak in Sylvan.
"I don't know. We don't know them."
"We should let the chieftain decide."
The centaur greenspeaker nods, and the centaurs stow their clubs.
"We will let Kaana decide if what you say is the truth."
She motions for the Pathfinders to follow.
---
Located along the northern edge a spur of the Finadar Forest and just south of Mishkar, this makeshift encampment shows the signs of being hastily erected. Leather tarps hang from the trees, providing some shelter from rain and ash, and the southern edge of the encampment is bordered with a deep, water-filled trench.
The centaur scouting party brings the Pathfinders to the center tent, where their leader, a centaur named Kaana Korag, is eating lunch.
After the scouting party leaves, Kaana looks at the Pathfinders in the eye.
"What brings you to the Findahar Forest?"
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As they follow the Centaur, Paemil stows his blade but leaves his shield at the ready. A sharp whistle brings Lumi padding to his side, the white fur stained blood red in the corners.
As they approach the tent, he exchanges a quick glance with his companions, before stepping cautiously into the tent- Lumi again darting between his legs and into the now open space first.
He looks as though he is about to speak, but swallows his words- awaiting for the others to speak on their behalf.
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Gorvy gives a respectful nod, "There are some humans here who wish to leave and our organisation promised to help them. They are Sarkorians who want to return home now that the worldwound has closed."
He thinks back to the letter, "The letter we received was damaged. It seemed to suggest that goblins were setting fires and they were asking for help in putting down the goblin threat." The young man shakes his head, "But you may well know more than us: the message was damaged and we have only just arrived here."
"If you could tell us more, we would be grateful."
"The humans want to leave? Interesting," Kaana muses. "It seems like we may have a common enemy with the goblins, then."
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Unclear at first what the centaurs intend from taking them away from where the mage had chosen to teleport them, Inquisitor Vasvax appears ill at ease in the tent of the centaur leader.
"Chieftain Kaana, detain us no longer. We have business with the FarHeaven tribe of Sarkoria, and you have no right to stand in our way. I demand you release us and allow us to reach Miskar."
Markwin glowers at the creature, as if this whole diversion is a total waste of his time.
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"Είμαστε εδώ από τον Absalom, που αποστέλλονται για να συνοδεύσουν μερικούς ανθρώπους στην πατρίδα τους - κοντά στον κόσμο. Πριν απαρνηθούμε, μας είπαν ότι τα goblin επιτέθηκαν στους ανθρώπους - αφήνοντάς μας στην άκρη κατά την άφιξή μας"
Kaana smiles. "I'm glad the Pathfinder Society didn't send a bunch of diplomats. I don't like weakness, and I see strength in your simple words."
Kaana “requests”, in a tone and with language that sounds much more like an order, "I'd like you to bring a message with them to the people of Mishkar: turn over the goblins responsible for the fires in Finadar v Forest so that the Redpine tribe can administer justice, and the Redpines will assist the people of Mishkar in fighting the flames and protecting their homes. Persist in harboring the goblins, and the Redpines will consider the people of Mishkar accomplices, just as guilty of wanton arson as the goblins they have allied with."
---
Just as she finishes her directive, a horn blows. A messenger runs into Kaana's tent, exclaiming, "There's been a surge!"
The fire breaks and other precautions taken by the centaurs have failed, causing a massive surge of flames to inundate the encampment. This attracts the attention of every able-bodied Redpine in the encampment as they rush to tamp the flames.
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Shenzen hurries out to help with the fire. Yet, once he gets outside, he simply stops. Clasping his hands behind his back, he slowly scans the area. Then, he clicks his tongue, as though scolding the fire for being unruly before springing into action.
"While fire is a normal part of the natural order, it, like all other things, must be properly applied and tamed. When thinking hands do unthinking things, the unthinking can not be expected to think of the consequences," he lectures to anyone near enough to hear as he clears out underbrush and dry leaves and sticks, blasting areas with beams of cold from his hands to slow the fire as well.
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Raised to action by the alarms ringing throught the camp, Markwin strides out of the tent. He'd rather not be here; but, there is work to be done and the soldier in him is comfortable taking orders.
He listens to Shenzen and nods in agreement, "Look, there - that dead tree - it would bring the blaze right to the heart of the camp if the flames reach it!" He thinks fast, "The horse-men need to haul it down and away from here - fast!
Assessing the situation quickly, he commands the attention of two passing centaurs - "You two - here! I have rope; help me haul this dead wood away from here, now, or the camp is doomed!"
Petro tries to douse the flames, but he's not quite quick enough.
Baldrum dances around and shows Petro how it's done.
Shenzen clears out the underbrush. Ray of frost seems to be decent as well.
Markwin uses his skills to move the larger pieces.
Gorvy moves livestock away.
---
Remaining:
Gorvy (1 more check)
Paemil (2 checks)
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Keeping himself between the flames and Lumi, Paemil looks around for an barrel or other large container. Setting his hand on the brim, he closes his eyes and chants in an ancient language. He continues, until the vessel is full, before finding an additional container.
Dragging the barrel over towards the flames, Paemil attempt to identify the trees or natural structures that are most susceptible to burning- using the water that he created to protect them.
Paemil casts create water, splashing key parts of the fire. Gorvy stamps out some of the embers.
With that, the surge of fire is under control, and the centaurs start returning to routine fire break-building. Chieftain Korag approaches and thanks the Pathfinders. She gratefully offers them one of the tribe’s treasured clan banners, a banner of restful nights. It has been damaged by fire, removing much of its magic. But it can be activated 5 more times before its magic fails completely.
“For good or ill, you now bear the hopes of the Redpine clan. My people no longer have the strength to travel back into the fire and eliminate it at its source. Trust not the goblins! I saw the things they conjured with their flames: undead monsters dancing in the flames and spreading destruction."
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The Pathfinders head to Mishkar.
The town of Mishkar is a primarily human town built of stone and wood in a mixture of Varisian and Taldan styles. Mishkar is currently a frenzy of activity, as goblins and humans scurry back and forth throughout the edges of the town. They are throwing buckets of water on smoldering embers or wooden buildings and hurriedly digging trenches between the town and the burning Finadar Forest.
A massive, muscled bear with a mantle of rainbow-colored feathers stalks the edge of the town, keeping a watchful eye on the centaur encampment to the south of the village.
The feathered bear greets them. The bear’s mighty voice cuts clearly through the crackle of flames and bustle of the busy townsfolk as he calls out, “Who goes there? Not centaurs, clearly. Are you the Pathfinders Nelket sent for?"
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After receiving the banner of restful nights, Baldrum bows.
"Thank you, Chieftain. We will try our best to end the fire and find the one(s) responsible!"
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near Mishkar:
Aftter the feathered bear greets them, Baldrum bows and speaks:
"Yes, we are the Pathfinders. But we do not have time to talk right now! Please let us through, we need to help the town against the fire immediately!"
He then turns to the druid and the magus, pointing right at the bucket carrying individuals.
"Paemil, Shenzen, I think the spells you used earlier would be a great help there."
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Shenzen also bows in acknowledgement of receipt of the banner and in thanks.
He quirks an eyebrow curiously at the unusual bear, the arch only rising further as it speaks.
"Indeed we are Pathfinders, and the ones that were requested. And who are you?" he asks the creature, though he watches the fire for signs that his spells or assistance might be necessary.
Dolok Darkfur bows. "It is an honor to meet you as well."
He turns and yells, "Dragbog, you’ll want to fetch the mistress!" At Dolok’s call, a stocky goblin dressed in armor made from the bones of what appears to be a dragon steps out from behind the great beast and dashes into the town.
“Nelket will be here shortly. Dragbog is too desperate to stay on our good side to tarry. It’s best you hear what happened directly from Nelket. In the meantime, I don’t suppose I could convince you to help us finish
securing the perimeter?”
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The Inquisitor is somewhat confused by witnessing goblins cooperating with the town to avert a conflagration. Organised, well-intentioned goblins? Madness! Anyone would think that we'd entered a new Edition or something...
He conceals his discombobulation behind his mustache, and, to test whether the Pathfinders have indeed entered a new Edition, attempts to perform 3 Actions:
He works diligently and with vigour alongside the townsfolk, but does not leave any of his kit unattended whilst around the goblinfolk...
Petro, Baldrum, Markwin, and Paemil all contribute to beating back the flames. The goblins are running around stomping out embers when Dragbog returns with Neklet.
“Have the Pathfinders come to rescue the Farheavens once again? Honestly, if the circumstances weren’t what they are I’d feel bad about bothering you all again so soon!” Nelket’s face curves in a wry smile as she greets the Pathfinders.
“I can see from your expressions that you’re curious about what’s going on here. Let me fill in the details for you.” Nelket pulls out a purse with some pieces of high quality amber as a thank-you gift.
“About two weeks ago, we woke up to fire on the horizon and goblins practically on our doorsteps. At first, we thought it was a raid, but when Dolok roared and charged to our defense, the goblins dropped everything they were carrying and started groveling on their bellies!”
Nelket smirks and glances at an embarrassed-looking Dragbog before continuing. “Dragbog here informed us that he’s the chieftain of these goblins, the Dragonskull Tribe, and that they were fleeing from fire, undead monsters, and some very angry centaurs.” After finishing her introduction, Nelket nudges the nervous goblin towards the Pathfinders and raises an eyebrow, prompting him to continue in his own words.
“We Dragonskulls live in the red trees for a long time. Build our homes from dragon bones, hide beneath the ground when centaurs come. Red trees burn too good, but Dragonskulls know how fire works.” The little goblin thrusts his narrow chest out proudly at this. “But…something bad happen. We burn sick trees around village like every year to keep fires small, but old stone in town catch fire too! Fires start jumping everywhere, and then Dragonskull homes wake up and start trying to eat us with fire-tongues! We run until Redpine horse-lady stop us and say we burn down their village too! So we run again until fire get too close. Dragonskulls set small fire to eat food so big fire not follow, then big bear invite us here.” The goblin finishes his story proudly.
Dolok Darkfur huffs a husky laugh in response to the goblin’s tale. “True enough, as it goes. I thought the little rascals were the ones spreading the flames at first, until I noticed that they were actually containing the larger fire. They’ve been industrious enough around the town the last few days, though I worry about the attention they’re drawing from those centaurs."
Neklet concludes, "We dare not leave for Sarkoris lest they leave Mishkar defenseless against a coming threat. Will you follow the goblin chieftain Dragbog back into the burning forest and find the 'burning stone' that animated the Dragonskulls skeletal homes?"
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Vasvax creases his brow in thought at the start of the story, and then in exasperation on hearing of the goblin tribe making a home amidst dragon bones."Really? Dragon bones? Are you sure? Describe these to us, Dragbog, carefully. You say this 'old stone' stood in the middle of the 'dragon bones'? Did this old stone resemble an altar at all?"
Despite himself the Inquisitor is getting visibly more interested in what lies ahead. Rampaging wildfires are one thing; confronting awakened undead amidst the long dead bones of Gods-know what, in a land of monsters and Cyclopean ruins, sounds more like what he left the Molthunean Imperial Army to find.
To Shenzen and Paemil:"What do you make of this, gentlemen? What have the goblin tribe unleashed, do you think?"
To Neklet:"Indeed we will, sir. You can count on...whoa!" Now to Dirgel: "Dammit - who are you madame? And where did you... where has that fop Gorvy gone?"
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I have never heard of such a thing...but I am not very experienced.,..so there is that. The centaurs believe that the goblins started the fires for sure. They almost went at us in their state of mind. We should be wary if we encounter them with a goblin in our group. They will likely not be as congenial as last time. Petro thinks out loud, pondering the developments
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Dirgel grins, eyes glittering mischief, "Oh, you can think of me as Gorvy's better half. I'm here in his stead until I get bored but, really, I've been here all along. I was even there in Jorsal's office when you nearly shook the door of its hinges."
The elf stands erect, scowls and puts a finger across her top lip in place of a moustache then drops her voice to an absurdly gruff baritone, "Good morning. I understand this is the room for Venture-Captain Jorsal's briefing. Vasvax, seconded from the 12th Infantry of the Molthuni Imperial Army, at your service."
After a moment, she takes away her finger, stares at it for a moment, her voice returning to its normal merry, light note, "A poor substitute." Then she puts away her grin, although a smile remains, "I do like your moustache, Mr Vasvax, very smart."
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Shenzen's eyebrow quirks at the description of what happened. It raises again as Dirgel appears and explains herself. Eventually, he just gives a nod.
With that distraction out of the way and dealt with, he returns his thoughts to the problem at hand.
"Assuredly the 'stone' was some sort of altar and the intense fire caused it to activate. From there, there can be no doubt that the ancient magics within the altar animated the dragon bones that these resourceful goblins were living in. And that can mean only one thing. Brace yourselves, my friends for what we face is no doubt one of the most dangerous threats on all of Golarion - a dracolich!" he says with absolute assurance.
"Really? Dragon bones? Are you sure? Describe these to us, Dragbog, carefully. You say this 'old stone' stood in the middle of the 'dragon bones'? Did this old stone resemble an altar at all?"
"Describe dragon bones? When dragon die, all yummy parts get eat, by goblins or birds or wolves. But nobody eat bones, so bones remain."
"Old stone looks not altar. It's only one goblin high, but has runes written in One-eye and with fire shooting out."
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"Runes written in one-eye?" Dirgel raises an eyebrow, "Hang on, do you mean cyclops? Is this cyclopean stuff? I heard that cyclops' used to be super-smart and awesome but, y'know, a long, long, long, long time ago. Maybe throw in a few more 'longs' as well."
She grins at the goblin chief, "Well then, Dragbog, it looks like you're our guide. Let's go find Shenzen's draco-lich!"