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A small female gnome appears.
"I am Aatish. Aatish can burn the poison out of anyone ... but then they are burnt too ... actually, sometimes they are dead." she says with a wicked smile.
Aatish is a small Gnome woman with grey-pink long hair that almost illuminates her surroundings. She has a mithral buckler in her hand and wears a custom-fit Haramaki suit that looks like it has been recently oiled.
Aatish is sitting on a military saddle on top of a riding dog that looks like a red wolfhound. It is clear that this dog can fight while carrying a rider and Aatish is not really fully in control.
On Aatish's shoulder you see a tiny Rhamphorhynchus flying dinosaur that has dark red scales and looks aggressive.
Aatish's eyes turn red when she gets down from her riding dog and she looks at you.
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An elegant kitsune woman enters the room, wearing a formal white dress that looks much more suited to finding a husband at the prince's ball than adventuring in damp caverns.
"My greetings to each of you, honored friends," she says with just a hint of an accent that you can't quite place. "My name is Soni Alemnin, and I believe I have been called here to ensure that the Pathfinder Society, and our little cross-section of it, are well represented and receive the fine treatment we deserve." She offers a hand to the gnome, who may not be sure if she's expected to shake it or kiss it.
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The small white bird riding on her shoulder then says, "And I'm Oleksandra!" It glances at the pterosaur on the other side of the room for a moment and then says to it, "I bet you and I will be good friends soon." It winks at the dinosaur, which is something few have ever seen a bird do.
"Anyway, I'm here to make sure the stick up..."
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A tall and well-built man nervously enters the room. His olive skin is pale, his sunken eyes are blood-shot and red around the lids. He is disheveled from head to toe. An exotic sword with a long and thin gleaming blade is strapped to his back and a morningstar, obviously a sacred weapon crafted with a silvery head of intertwined roses with spiky thorns, swings from a belt loop. A small red rose with thorns dripping blood is painted on the left breast over his heart on his dusty leather armor. He is visibly exhausted and twitches as he glances about at the others present.
He sees a pink haired gnome upon a riding dog, a fox woman, a prehistoric reptile with large wings, and a small white bird.
Oh! P-p-please forgive m-m-me.
Embarrassed, he stammers in a thick Ustalavian accent.
I a-a-am Baronet Piotr Lupescu. It a-a-appears I am in the wrong m-m-meeting area.
He shakily nods at those present and turns to leave.
Heading for the door, he sees an armored dark-skinned woman enter. He nods with a smile then looks away in embarrassment as he makes his way to leave.
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Seelah frowns. "Sir, are you alright? You don't look too good," she calls after Piotr. "We are pathfinders, if that wasn't clear. We are waiting for a meeting as well."
After a brief moment considering her options, she gestures to him to get closer. "Do you feel ill? I could provide some respite... I may be able to remove feelings of sickness if that's what ails you."
She offers him a Lay on Hands (mercy - remove sickened)
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Piotr's eyes widen in surprise.
Y-y-yes! I'm here for a m-m-mission.
He droops his shoulders in an attempt to relax. He notices a holy symbol of Iomedae on the woman.
I'm alright.
He says as he looks down shamefully. He then slowly approaches the holy warrior and speaks quietly so the others cannot hear.
My c-c-cur-- Uh, I m-m-mean affliction, goes far beyond m-m-magical healing.
He then clasps her hand firmly as he confides in the holy warrior and sobs softly.
I w-w-was born with the b-b-blood of beasts. It has b-b-been weeks s-s-since I have been able to t-t-transform.
He looks into the woman's eyes.
I do not w-w-wish to frighten anyone with my t-t-trans-f-f-formation.
He looks up at the woman with pitiful eyes.
The n-nightmares that I live with have k-k-kept me from getting a s-s-sound night of s-s-sleep.
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Seelah takes a moment to think about what Piotr just explained and nods. "I understand. I'm sorry to hear you are haunted by your blood. I see your faith has given you strength. But tell me... Are you in control when transformed? If so, it might be better if we make sure the others are informed of your condition to accommodate your needs better. I do not know how long this mission would take so I rather you be at your best if danger finds us."
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Piotr sniffles and stops sobbing.
Y-y-yes. I am in c-c-complete con-t-t-trol of my-s-s-self. The trans-f-f-formation is momentarily a-a-agonizing and d-d-disorientating. It can b-b-be frightening to o-o-others witnessing the t-t-trans-f-f-formation.
He turns towards his new teammates.
P-p-please. Do not b-b-be afraid. I am n-n-not a m-m-monster.
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She offers a hand to the gnome, who may not be sure if she's expected to shake it or kiss it.
”Does the Fox want Aatish to burn it?! Hand and animal??“ the little gnome on the riding dog says with clenched teeth.
The small white bird riding on her shoulder then says, "And I'm Oleksandra!" It glances at the pterosaur on the other side of the room for a moment and then says to it, "I bet you and I will be good friends soon." It winks at the dinosaur, which is something few have ever seen a bird do.
"Anyway, I'm here to make sure the stick up..."
The flying dinosaur just hisses with eyes full of aggression.
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Oh! P-p-please forgive m-m-me.
Embarrassed, he stammers in a thick Ustalavian accent.
I a-a-am Baronet Piotr Lupescu. It a-a-appears I am in the wrong m-m-meeting area.
He shakily nods at those present and turns to leave.
Aatish shakes her head. She rides to Piotr!
”Weak! Aatish sees you wet pants! What do you do in Aatish’s team?!“
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Soni mentally assigns Aatish to [i]probably good in a fight, but likely to ruin my work[i] before greeting the other Pathfinders who have entered the room. Among all the glad-handing, she whispers to Piotr, "There's something I need to show you all after the briefing. There's a chance it may upset you. But I do trust you, and I hope you will me."
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In walks a sizable humanoid with bits of granite and crystal in his skin. He wears the long white robe of a priest of Anubis over his heavy armor. His helmet is fitted with a mask that makes his head look like a jackal. He is also equipped with a large flail and a bow. He looks (and is) slow. However you can imagine that he would be a pretty good fortress for spellcasters to hide behind.
Slow I am. Yet here I am. Shall we begin?
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Aatish shakes her head. She rides to Piotr!
”Weak! Aatish sees you wet pants! What do you do in Aatish’s team?!“
Piotr is suddenly startled as the pink haired gnome strides towards him on her riding dog. His face turns red in embarrassment, then anger, at her cutting remark.
N-n-nooooooo!!!Dark fur sprouts from every inch of his body as his eyes turn canine yellow and his teeth elongate into fangs as a snout protrudes from his face tearing away the skin.
As he howls in agony, his bones begin to snap and pop as they lengthen and his body becomes much taller and broader as it takes on a bestial form.
Once the transformation is complete, he snarls as he glances around in momentary confusion and quickly draws the long and slender two-handed sword from the straps on his back.
Throwing his head back and puffing out his broad chest, he howls in rage.
Panting heavily, he glares menacingly at those present, then suddenly realizes these are his companions watching him.
Ahhhh!!! I feel much better now.
He growls.
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The hulking beast rolls his broad shoulders forward and snaps his head to the side which causes a few of the vertebrae in his neck to pop.
He growls softly with a sigh of relief.
Now, to answer your question as for what I can do, Aatish. Well...
He waves the long, wickedly sharp blade back and forth as he bares his large teeth.
I can slice my enemies in two.
He then slides the sword into the straps on his back and places a hand on the grip of his silvery morningstar.
Or shatter their bones and crush their skulls.
Also, my patron, Milani, has bestowed her divine power unto me.
He then takes a moment to go through the agonizing transformation back to human form.
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Hunched forward and panting with exhaustion, Piotr stumbles to a chair and takes a seat. He wipes the sweat from his brow then rubs his tightly closed eyes. Opening his eyes, he blinks several times as his vision clears.
I can transform at will.
He says in a more relaxed voice between deep breaths.
But, as you just witnessed, it is quite tiring and painful.
After a moment of relaxation, he stands from the chair.
Ah. Before I forget...
He reaches into a pocket, withdraws two tiny gemstones, and tosses them in the air in front of his face. The gems stop in mid air, then tumble and turn slowly about in a circle as they orbit his head.
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As you are getting to know your fellow Pathfinders, each of whom has recently been summoned to Absalom, a Grand Lodge attendant soon arrives and motions for you to follow...he directs you to a nearby office...
Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng’s pinched face is hard to see from behind the stack of books that divide the front of his office from the space behind his desk. A shockingly old man with white hair and slightly milky eyes, he is surprised by the appearance of outsiders in his office, and looks up, half startled and half relieved.
“Thank you for coming on such short notice. I’d been meaning to give this assignment to you at a later date, and with less pressing time constraints, but it seems that time has conspired against us.” Dreng mumbles to himself as he passes out a stack of notes and maps from behind the wall of books. “These notes are from a recent Chronicle—it contains some interesting finds, but one of them is now the utmost priority to the Society.”
Dreng lightly taps a bony finger on a map, on which can be seen a section of Absalom with a small corner townhouse circled in deep red.
“This townhouse is a façade for an underground vault. The vault belonged to an old noble family of Absalom that was expelled a decade ago—the Decklands. The family was forced out when their patriarch—a man known as Orias—was discovered to have written documents detailing the city’s defenses, documents he intended to hand over to hostile forces loyal to Cheliax. The Chronicle indicates that a copy of these documents exist within the vault.
“A Pathfinder looking into the Decklands and their Chronicle references in Cheliax was attacked and killed ten days ago. The thugs made off with a copy of his notes— fortunately, he’d already sent us another. We have reason to believe it was the work of the Decklands’ oldest child, a young woman named Celeena, and she’s the reason this assignment is now urgent. The fact that Celeena and her forces were willing to kill a Pathfinder for this information shows how desperate they are to retrieve the documents. If she were able to get these documents and return them to Cheliax, it would undermine the defenses of the whole city, as well as cause the Society undue headaches. Find Celeena, find the documents in her vault, and prevent this situation from turning into one big mess for the Society.”
Dreng pauses for effect before asking, ”Are there any questions?”
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Piotr looks down in thought then looks back up at Dreng.
Mister Dreng. Greetings. I am Baronet Piotr Lupescu.
He nods respectfully.
It has been ten days since the attack. Celeena could be in Cheliax by now. Are we to search Cheliax for her? Or, is there reason to believe she's hiding out at the Deckland house?
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Dreng nods and answers each question, in turn...
“What can Dreng tell Aatish about the building’s defenses? How can Aatish best kill this woman and her minions? Have the city’s defenses not changed in a decade?!“ she asks.
"The city of Absalom's defenses should have nothing to do with this mission...the townhouse itself likely has not special defenses physically...the vault may prove a different matter but we have not much information on it. As to how you can best kill her, I'm sure you can use your imagination. As for her minions, you might need to be prepared for some infernal intervention..."
It has been ten days since the attack. Celeena could be in Cheliax by now. Are we to search Cheliax for her? Or, is there reason to believe she's hiding out at the Deckland house?
"As we're hoping to prevent her from taking the chronicles to Cheliax, I would start in their townhouse here in Absalom; clues there will likely lead you to her..."
Her brow furrows. "Cheliax? This is concerning. Do we know what kind of warrior she is? A hellknight, perhaps?"
"We know only that she is the eldest child of Orias Deckland; however, I doubt she is a Hellknight as our contacts would likely have known of that if so..."
"Is there any specific information you need from her? Do you want us to bring her back alive?"
"We need the chronicles...as for dead or alive, I leave that to your discretion. While it'd be nice to be able to question her, if it comes down to one of your lives or hers, do not hesitate to kill her..."
What is explained about the vault from the chronicle, or for that matter, what type of group if any does Celeena have with her?"
"There’s not much that can be said about the vault. It was reportedly used to store a portion of the family’s wealth and was ingeniously trapped when the Decklands fled Absalom. The family archives, where the documents should be stored, should be right next to the family crypt in the lower levels.”
“The agents in Cheliax report that Celeena hired mercenaries from the Devil’s Claw Company, a mercenary organization of failed Hellknights.”
Dreng is also prepared to answer these other questions you might have...
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Thank you for the detailed information, Mister Dreng.
Well, then. Off to the Deckland townhouse. But, before we leave, there are some supplies I must pick up, as well as a visit to the Arnisant Museum officials here in Absalom.
He turns to his companions.
I will meet you here outside of the lodge in about half an hour.
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About half an hour later, Piotr appears walking down the road towards the lodge as townsfolk glare and point at him and quickly move out of his way. You soon see the reason why townsfolk are reacting with fear and awe; he's wearing a gleaming, midnight black, intimidating suit of Hellknight plate mail with a hammered breastplate styled in the face of a scowling demon.
I earned some status to be able to acquire this suit of armor. I hope to be able to afford my own someday. Well, not Hellknight plate. Something more befitting a divine warrior of Milani.
briefing for a scenario, you can check one, two, or all three boxes that precede this boon to secure a weapon, shield, or set of armor with a +1, +2, or +3 bonus, respectively, for the duration of the scenario. You can reduce the enhancement bonus of a borrowed weapon with a +2 or +3 bonus by 1 in order to give that weapon the undead bane special ability. Any borrowed equipment bears inscriptions or imagery from the Shining Crusade, such as Aroden’s holy symbol or the heraldry or Taldor. This equipment is always made of common materials such as steel, leather, or wood.
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"Before you go, Piotr, there is something I need all of you to see."
To the faint sound of heroic, upbeat music with no apparent source, Soni's gown seems to unravel into a shower of white rose petals, trailing into the distance leaving only a silhouette, glowing brightly in a rainbow of colors as her muzzle shortens. The rapier at her hip, which seemed a dandy's weapon before, flies into the air above her as ribbons of silvery-blue cloth circle her limbs and torso, wrapping her now-human form in a short dress, gloves and boots. The raven-haired woman she has become reaches her arm to the sky and grasps her blade, which now appears wickedly sharp. In a flash of light, a golden tiara appears on her brow and a silvery shield with a white rose blossom device appears on her other arm. She slashes the blade through the air in front of her, cutting through the rain of petals and revealing her full vigilante identity as the music crescendos, then stops.
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At the same time, Oleksandra is surrounded by a sphere of glowing feathers. Through the gaps, you can see a similar avian silhouette. It grows larger, its beak extends, and the wings become more leathery. In a flash of light, the feathers disperse, and a rhamphorhynchus with gold-tinted scales appears.
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"You are not the only one who transforms, Piotr," the changed kitsune says, "though mine seems to be a bit less traumatic.
"My normal profession is as a diplomat, and that is the reason the Society has assigned me to this group. However, I also seek justice in this form, in which I am called the White Rose Duelist. Whichever face I wear at the moment is the true me.
"Because this change takes time and is not particularly subtle, I will not be able to switch forms during a fight or in the presence of witnesses. I am not an incompetent fighter when I wear the fox's face, nor am I useless as a diplomat in this form, but I will be most effective if I enter each situation knowing which will be more appropriate.
"My companion also has two identities, though in this form she cannot speak with others. I call her Goldenwing, and I hope you will forgive her poor manners, regardless of her shape."
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"I believe Bashra and I are set, though I suggest in case things are in control we travel through town in a semi quick way, very direct, otherwise we may lose more time then we already have" her fingers idling the bow string a bit her Amethyst eyes seeming a bit more focused as her silver hair moves with her as she starts to head to the door before calling Bashra to follow
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Although his eyes widen slightly, he seems otherwise unaffected by the transformation of his allies. Personally, I prefer to operate without deception. {Sigh} Though I will admit it is sometimes necessary.
Speaking to the Captain, Was our agent murdered by magic or physical means?
I am ready to head to this estate immediately. Are the rest of you ready to go?
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Seelah also wants to know how was the agent murdered. "That could help us know what to expect from her."
When that's done she leaves with the other towards this house.
"Before we enter, it could be good to let the stealthier members to scout ahead... or even perhaps some of your little friends," Seelah points at the several animal companions and familiar. "I'm not particularly silent with my armor so that's why I would try to let you check first before going in."
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Speaking to the Captain, Was our agent murdered by magic or physical means?
Seelah also wants to know how was the agent murdered. "That could help us know what to expect from her."
Venture-Captain Dreng answers in a somber voice, "It would appear he was killed by physical means, by one of the Devil's Claw mercs...
"That's all the pertinent information I have; you had best get a move on. Good luck Pathfinders!"
With your questions answered, you head on over to the townhouse...
Sitting on the corner of a quiet street, the red brick Deckland townhouse melds in with the middle class buildings in this portion of Absalom. A small, flickering candle can be seen through a barred window on the building’s west side and a single door can be seen on the building’s south face...