Mercival is able to help the pathfinders cross-referencing written documents with actual artifacts. Or is able to show an original document that might have been referred to in some scholarly works. "Will this do for your reports to Kreighton Shane?"
Helven provided intelligence to Chelish forces regarding the location of a Shoanti tribe known to be plundering sites around the region.
Montlarion had an altercation with Helven regarding Shoanti artifacts, which turned violent.
Ultimately, Helven betrayed the tribe. He gave up the tribe’s location to Chelish forces, which garnered favor with many inhabitants of the recently-established Fort Korvosa, including Montlarion Jeggare. With the Shoanti put to the sword, Helven appropriated their tales and artifacts for himself. Laden with ill-gotten treasures, he left many relics in Montlarion’s care before departing on one of the first cargo ships to sail from the settlement.
Returning to Absalom, Helven recast the Shoanti tales as his own first-hand accounts, which were published in the Pathfinder Chronicles. Following a bloody internal struggle in the year 4411 AR, he then parlayed these accounts to secure a place among the first Decemvirate. However, Helven’s stolen successes could not stand unchallenged forever.
Helven returned to Korvosa, where the now Lord Magistrate Montlarion had begun to suspect Helven’s betrayal of the Shoanti, and the source of his supposed heroics.
Montlarion questioned Helven and presented him with eyewitness testimony of a Chelish man providing wartime aid to the Shoanti. The Korvosans demanded Helven’s ill-gotten treasures be confiscated pending further investigation.
Helven was furious and a fight erupted. Using his Decemvirate helm, Helven channeled a burst of negative energy that consumed all those present, save himself and Montlarion. Weakened, Helven fled to Absalom, while Montlarion died soon thereafter. Once divination magic confirmed all witnesses of his crimes had perished, Helven believed his secrets safe.
However, the Pathfinder Eylysia came to suspect the truth and attempted to reveal Helven’s evil. While Eylysia was ultimately unable to unmask or defeat the canny Decemvirate member, she escaped with her life, leaving clues that she hoped would lead other Pathfinders to discover the true nature of Helven and the events surrounding the Chelaxian’s rise to the Decemvirate.
hidden compartment:
The base of he totem holds a compartment including a sketch of a man wearing a triple-flanged helm without eyeholes, a black ring, and a scrawled note that says simply, “Helven took the base of this totem for some purpose I cannot ascertain. Perhaps he has taken it to Absalom?”
the papers:
The papers consist of field reports and notes collected by Montlarion.
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Nightkit carefully writes it all up for Kreighton Shaine.
Seems to me there's something rotten in the Decemverite looking at this lot and Eylysia stumbled upon it. she comments. Anyway .. I think we're done here. Anyone wanna hit the beach with me when we get back to Absalom?
And do we need to track this totem base as well to see if it is in Absalom?
Indeed. Kreighton Shange has left you another letter (see slide 3)
The natural splendor of Arthfell forest falls away to a barrier of dried-out thorns that does little to obscure the lifeless trees beyond. Frigid winds whisper through branches that claw at the sky as a mist rises out from deep within the wood.
between the fey range from mischievous fun to deadly serious.
DC15
divided the druids, those diplomatic connections have all but dried up.
DC 20
in spring, symbolizing new life, and autumn, symbolizing acceptance of death.
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Nightkit shivered as she regarded the view. So much for that swim she muttered.
So here we are, the Arthfell Forest. It's said that this place has been home to the fey for longer than mortal memory. Conflicts between the fey range from mischievous fun to deadly serious. It so happens I speak fey - just in case.
The local druids acted as peacekeepers between human communities and fey. Since a schism divided the druids, those diplomatic connections have all but dried up. The Andoren druids celebrate the changing seasons with holidays. The most important of these celebrations occur in spring, symbolizing new life, and autumn, symbolizing acceptance of death.
She looks at the Wayfinder to see which way it is pointing. Must get me one of these when I get a chance
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"Glad you knew all that 'bout this forest an' the druids an' such, Kit." Grigory says. "An' even better you know how ta talk fey in case we run into some."
"I never used one of these wayfinders before, but they's kinda interestin'. Should come in handy, I guess, if the letter says we're s'posed ta follow 'em."
Tending the bramble wall is a colorful druid.
"WhoaWhoaWhoa," she says, you can't go in there! it is much too dangerous. Why do you think we even put a such a high wall, with big spiky thorns on it? You would not believe the virurlance of the blight. The blight causes plants to wither and travelers to become lost.![/b]
She is attendeing to the wall, "The magic is powerful, due to the thicket’s magic, the thorns become brittle and dry if they are not
regularly maintained."
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Markus withdraws the feather token from the Leshy he received, I do indeed Nightkit, and it was incredibly useful, I hope it will be again.
Greetings honored Druid, we are Pathfinders, he says, holding up the wayfinder, which points past the wall, and are investigating the origins of our organization's past. Could we pass, swearing on our own safety??
"You are with the Society? I daresay you will indeed pass on your own safety and find what you are looking for." She nods her colorful head, to Malakar, "And no. I suppose you will not get lost with one of those finder tools, but it is still dangerous." She pauses, "The Shadow Pact, a group of violent lycanthropic druids, have repeatedly attacked the boundary, believing powerful weapons are hidden within."
"Oh!" she exclaims. "Where are my manners? I am Adelyn Rhinon, Greenfire Adept," she announces before addressing Nightkit's question. "The Greenfire Circle—a druid circle striving to balance many local factions—believes the thicket within is blighted from a senseless massacre of druids that occurred centuries earlier. They believe the blight causes plants to wither and travelers to become lost."
After introductions are finished and the party is ready to proceed, Adelyn parts the thorns, revealing a foreboding woodland that fills the space beyond. Tall, naked trees are interspersed with theccasional needle-covered fir, and the ground is barren with no signs of fauna.
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Markus smiles, holding up the wayfinder on a long cord around his neck, These really do help us not get lost. I'm Markus, and these are my friends. Nice to meet you Adelyn, and thank you for permission to enter. We'll watch out for the Shadow Pact, and thank you to the Greenfire Adepts for maintaining this place and its balance.
Inside Markus will use his wayfinder to help locate the way.
The party wanders in the forest for five hours, long enough for a thick fog to settle in. The heart of the Thicket of Endless Fall is less visually imposing than its lifeless outer reaches.
EDIT:
Thick undergrowth chokes the ground in this open thicket, and clutching ivy climbs the posts and eves of an abandoned lumber mill on the thicket’s far side. The ground here is covered in plant life,
Ng. The mysterious hooded Eldest watches over the seasons, secrets, and roads.
Grigory and Malakar find the going easier than the others do and find themselves a little ahead of the party. The rest of the party hears a roar and followed by a blast as the fog is lit to a bright red color up ahead.
R1
Grigory 24): <-- here now
Merida (14): <-- here now
Tristan (13): <-- here now
VT:(13)
The plant creature is called a jack-a-lantern. You have already experienced its fear aura and breath weapon, what other fact would you like to recall? Edit: and strangling entangle.
Grigory closes with the creature but is unable to connect his axe to it. The creature lashes out at the half-orc.
, plus entangled (Reflex save DC 14 to avoid).
Malakar (12): <-- here now
Markus <-- here now
Night it <-- here now
then Round 2
Grigory, Tristan, Merida
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"Jack'o'lantern!" Grigory warns the others with a shudder. "Look out for more of 'em an' don't get too close. They can spit fire an' they'll try ta tangle you up if they can."
"Anybody got a way ta clear away some of this fog?
Grigory, as NightKit has commented, they explode upon death!
The party closes ranks around their ranger, in a terrifying game of Marco Grigory. The fog makes it difficult to see and the foliage makes it difficult to move, though some can see the enemy. A glowing pumpkin face walking about on thick, dark green stocks.
Grigory 24): misses Jack
Merida (14): moves
Tristan (13): casts mage armor
Jack o'lantern:(13) misses Grigory
Malakar (12): readies acid splash
Markus (6): moves
NightKit (5): moves
Great green chunks fly from the creature and a sticky sweet substance pours from the open wounds. Grigory axe is also covered in the stuff, and some sprays onto the ranger as well.
(difficult terrain DC 13 Acrobatics negates)
Grigory (24): Slashes mightily
Merida (14): <-- here now
Tristan (13): <-- here now
jack o'lantern (13):
Malakar (12):
Markus (6):
NightKit (5): pokes moderately Will Save needed as you close within the creature's aura!