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"Looks like I got here first. Wherever 'here' is." says the woman in studded leather seafarer's garb looking around.
A runner comes up and posts a notice on the board of the Grand Lodge.
Attention Pathfinders!
Please gather in Auditorium 2 an hour after mid-day this Fireday for an announcement by Ianareth Alazario, Cheliax's appointed liaison to the Pathfinder Society.
-Marcus Farabellus
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Theron pulls away from his mug of ake after the runner posts the message. He reads it and nods.
About time...he says with a grunt as he collects his gear from a pile in the corner and heads to the meeting room. He notices the woman and nods his head in acknowledgement.
I reckon you're here for Alazario's briefing? I'm Theron...he says as he dumps his pack on the floor and holds out a meaty hand criss crossed with scars to her.
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Nala finishes her breakfast and then checks out the posted missive. To no one in particular she mentions, "Well, that changes my plans today."
But until then, combat training and study for her Geography course takes up the remainder of the morning. Near noon she bathes, dresses in full gear in case the announcement means immediate travel and heads off to snarf a sandwich before heading to Auditorium Two a half hour early.
Noticing two humans already there she introduces herself, "Nala Smith at your service. If this turns into a mission, I look forward to working with you both."
Nala is not exactly the picture of beauty. Instead, she appears to be ready for a scrap most of the time. Pretty much resting ‘get to the point I don’t have all day’ face. She is well geared with a variety of weapons and a very nice shield that appears to have a reinforced edge for bashing. She wears a simple necklace with a silver seagull hanging from it.
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Colleen, early as she was takes a seat with her boots stretched across the back of the seat before her, her head back, with her tricorn hat pulled down over her eyes. Relaxed, she closes her eyes, and waits for the festivities to begin.
I reckon you're here for Alazario's briefing? I'm Theron...he says as he dumps his pack on the floor and holds out a meaty hand criss crossed with scars to her.
She looks up when Theron and Nala arrive.
"Colleen." she says indicating herself, and then returns to her restful pose.
As the time approaches, more and more Pathfinder agents enter the auditorium. Soon there are several hundred agents gathered.
In the front row is Zarta Dralneen, head of the Dark Archive faction and former Cherish liaison.
On stage is Marcus Falabellas along with a tall, heavy-set woman wearing a black-lacquered breastplate and a sweeping ruby cloak. She rests a hand on the gold pommel of the longsword at her hip and waits for the crowd to settle.
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A heavily-armed dwarf with unkempt hair, yet meticulously groomed beard and moustache, stomps in to the auditorium, a scowl on his face.
Seeing the place almost full, with senior Society representatives on the stage, the dwarf blushes furiously. He stomps into the seating, but his efforts to get there quickly result in more noise and more attention on him.
"Am I late? No, of course not. A wizard is never late!" He sits. Turning to the agent seated next to him he adds quietly "Korgaar" and nods in greeting.
Korgaar certainly doesn't look like a wizard. He's clad in scale mail and carrying a waraxe, pick and a couple of hammers.
A few of the Pathfinders agents mumble “What? Is it possible he has never met Kreighton Shaine?”
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A white.. no, light blue.. no, pink.. no, white again haired young woman enters the room.
She wears no armor, only casual clothes, and her wayfinder on her hip.
Spotting Nala, she beams a smile, and rushes to the ranger, hugging her.
Nala! I'm happy to see you! So you are in this mission too?
Then she sees Theron, and hugs him all the same
Theron! Long time no see! A pleasure to meet you again!
The woman moves up to the podium and waits a few moments for people to quite down.
She nods once to Marcos Farabellus before beginning. “I am Ianareth Alazario, and I come to you with words spoken by Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune. Pathfinders, your exile is at an end. Cheliax welcomes you once again.”
Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus vigorously leads a round of applause that grows until it echoes off the sturdy walls following the new declaration. Ianareth's smile is as wide as her host's, though it falters slightly when her gaze falls on her disgraced predecessor Zarta Dralneen.
Ianareth continues, “With your help, I would mend the rifts between us and forge an enduring friendship. I have entrusted your Master of Swords with several promising leads found within our borders. To that I add only this: Pathfinders, the glory of Cheliax is placed in your care.”
Ianareth bows deeply to Marcos and then to the crowd before taking her leave.
Marcos Farabellus steps behind the lectern and announces, “I've gathered a handful of teams to lead these initial expeditions, and I've posted those outside with times to meet me in my office for more details. There's rewarding work ahead, so don't be late!”
With that, the auditorium begins to empty. Walking briskly with infinite poise and a clenched jaw, Zarta Dralneen is the first to disappear through the doors.
The presentation ended, there is the usual press of people trying to leave the crowded auditorium. When you finally make your way out, you notice Pathfinders jostling each other, trying to read names from a half-dozen lists.
Once you make your way up there, you find one of the teams has your names on it.
Will the following team please report to me within one candlemark of the announcement adjourning.
Collleen Ravenhair . Korgaar
Desynthia Medzen . The Red Reverend
Keynala Smith . Theron RandallasThank you,
Marcos Farabellus
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Stretches and rises after most of the crowd has left the auditorium.
Will the following team please report to me within one candlemark of the announcement adjourning.
Collleen Ravenhair . Korgaar
Desynthia Medzen . The Red Reverend
Keynala Smith . Theron RandallasThank you,
Marcos Farabellus
[/ooc]Is there a Knowledge check needed to know what an 'Emberhold' might be?[/ooc]
"I guess 'they' are calling."
"Last one to Farabellus's office has to intern for Aram Zey!"
You make your way to Marcus Farabellus’s office.
As you enter, Zarta Dralneen stands across the Master of Swords' desk, her back turned to you. She momentarily acknowledges your group before continuing to lecture Farabellus.
“Beware the good intentions of a Chelish diplomat. Who controls whom behind closed doors in Cheliax, and who are we serving by heeding the call of Abrogail's infernal masters?”
Marcos strokes his beard for a moment, buying time to phrase his reply. “Caution is warranted, but you shouldn't let past follies color your opinion of this opportunity, Zarta. This is our chance to freely operate within Cheliax again. The doors of Delvehaven may still be closed, but we can start to mend soured relations.”
Marcos turns to the recently arrived agents. “I expect everyone who takes an assignment to conduct themselves as diplomats as well as explorers. We don't need a public debacle to ruin our welcome, again.”
Zarta straightens her back and glares imperiously down at her counterpart. “Folly? One day you will look between the sheets and see you've climbed into bed with a snake, Marcos. I sincerely hope none of your agents find themselves in desperate need of a retrieval team; I remind you that devils work quickly to strip hope from one's senses.” She turns and strides out of the room.
The Master of Swords massages his forehead with one hand and motions to chairs with the other. “Lady Dralneen assumes that we take Cheliax entirely at its word.”
“Ianareth Alazario provided me an incomplete history of a small keep in the Eismonts called Emberhold, once property of House Davian. The reason we don't hear much of the Davians anymore is that they led the resistance against House Thrune during the Chelish civil war, and her infernal majestrix is not known for showing mercy.”
“I'm sending you to explore the site, learn what you can about what happened there, and bring back any information about the Davians.”
He leans forward and lowers his voice before adding, “You'll be traveling through Corentyn, and I'd like you to pay a visit to the Museum of History there first. The curator, Zefiro Balinger, is an acquaintance of the Society and may have details not available in the official records. Get Balinger's help, then visit Emberhold.”
Marcos presents a small folded map. “You'll leave Absalom aboard the Sea Sylph in two days—Society's picking up the tab. It's been years since we've had first-hand reports coming out of Cheliax, so be ready for anything.”
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Nala spends their next bit catching up with Desynthia, ”I see your hair is still just as independent as ever. How have you been Des?”
Once they get to the briefing she takes a few notes and asks a few questions, ”What sort of official writ or status do we hold if the authorities interfere? And what if we find useful relics or information, will they let us bring them back?”
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"A sea trip to sunny Cheliax, eh? Visit a museum, talk to an agent, explore a mountain keep. Clear enough. Huh, sounds like a holiday!" Korgaar chuckles as he absent-mindedly strokes his luxuriant facial hair.
"Might be a good idea to grab a cold iron weapon"
Korgaar pats a military pick slung at his waist. "A wizard is always prepared" he nods.
"We expecting the keep to be abandoned then, Master Farabellus? Or at least, not held by House Thrune?"
Marcus frowns at Nala’s question.
“I wish there were such a writ. Our position is no where near that good.”
“Our position has improved from hunt down and prosecute as traitors to allow them to enter provided they do not make trouble. Beyond that, they have given us specific sites they want us to investigate.”
Gesturing with his hands, he says “Try to bring any historical artifacts back if you can do so without a fuss. Such things have a tendency to disappear if they do not fit into the current version of history that Chelliax is presenting.”
“We will be sharing what you find with Ianareth. Make sure you consider that when creating any written official reports about what you find at Emberhold.” He stresses the words written and official as he says them. “She is our liaison and will be making the report to her superiors.”
In reply to Theron, Marcus nods his head. “Certainly appropriate if you are concerned about devils. Even a cold iron dagger might do more than a longsword against a weak devil. Might consider some holy water or an oil of align weapon if you can afford it.”
When Korgaar pats his pick, Marcus smiles and says “That should do nicely.”
Looking to Korgaar, he says “We have no information on that. I am told the site has been abandoned, but that wouldn’t prevent something else from sneaking in and claiming it as a lair.”
With a shrug, Marcus says "Sometimes you need a weapon blessed with the powers of good to hurt an outsider. You would need to talk to a priest for all the details and why. What I know is that having an Oil of Align Weapon can help against some creatures."
"The oil you have is good too, there are a lot of creatures that require an enchanted weapon in order to hurt them."
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Marcos turns to the recently arrived agents. “I expect everyone who takes an assignment to conduct themselves as diplomats as well as explorers. We don't need a public debacle to ruin our welcome, again.”
“Ianareth Alazario provided me an incomplete history of a small keep in the Eismonts called Emberhold, once property of House Davian. The reason we don't hear much of the Davians anymore is that they led the resistance against House Thrune during the Chelish civil war, and her infernal majestrix is not known for showing mercy.”
He leans forward and lowers his voice before adding, “You'll be traveling through Corentyn, and I'd like you to pay a visit to the Museum of History there first. The curator, Zefiro Balinger, is an acquaintance of the Society and may have details not available in the official records. Get Balinger's help, then visit Emberhold.”
Colleen leans in and innocently asks "Why are we whispering? This is your office right, Master of Swords?" Then she draws back, and smiles. Lady Dralneen will have to get up pretty early in the morning if she thinks she can out sass me, and I know she's a night owl.
With a shrug, Marcus says "Sometimes you need a weapon blessed with the powers of good to hurt an outsider....”
"I'm 'good' enough, thank you."
hours
He leans forward and lowers his voice before adding, “You'll be traveling through Corentyn, and I'd like you to pay a visit to the Museum of History there first. The curator, Zefiro Balinger, is an acquaintance of the Society and may have details not available in the official records. Get Balinger's help, then visit Emberhold.”Colleen leans in and innocently asks "Why are we whispering? This is your office right, Master of Swords?"
With a nod, he confirms "This is my office." Then in a strong voice he adds "NOT one of the secure areas that are proof against scrying. I'm not paranoid, but sometimes a little care can be useful."
"I'm 'good' enough, thank you."
"Good to know. I'm sure your party will let you take the lead in fighting any outsiders in that case."
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Nala works through her inventory, mostly mumbling to herself but not being excessively quiet.
"Cold Iron, check. Silver, check. Oils of Magic Weapon and Bless Weapon, check. A way to heal injuries, check. Holy Water, check. Splash weapons, check. Weapons to do different types of damage, check. Should be well suited to handle threats. And when we have to talk our way through things, I'll keep my mouth mostly shut."
She pulls out a wand and thinks for a minute before asking, "Cheliax has temperate weather right so no extreme cold or heat?"
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Desynthia chitchats with Nala, before getting more serious as they get some information for the mission
I think some holy water might bewelcome... maybe some cold iron bolts for my crossbow too? I'm not that much of a fighter anyway, so no need to spend to much money on this.
I don't know much about history, I'll admit, but I'm always interested in the creature from other planes of existence, and know a few tidbits about diverse religions. Is there any knowledge specialists among us?
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"Knowledge specialists?" Korgaar's ears twitch - not that they're visible under his shaggy mane of hair.
"I am a wizard! Schooled in arcane lore, and something of an authority on flora and fauna to boot" he says with obvious pride.
"Erm... perhaps this would be a good time to point out" Korgaar sheepishly looks down at the ground "that this will be my first mission for the Pathfinder Society. And although a wizard is always prepared, I, erm... that is to say that... erm... I am somewhat impoverished at the moment.
In consequence I find myself without certain items that I would otherwise certainly pack. Healing magic. Alchemical grenades.
Spellbook."
The dwarf blushes again under his whiskers and glances up from under his voluminous eyebrows.
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Nala glances over the dwarf's expansive collection of weapons and armor, "We'll try to keep that in mind."
Is he delusional about the magic stuff or just very ill prepared to be a wizard? I guess we will find out soon enough though it wouldn't be the first crazy person I've been on a mission with. This society attracts some odd types.
She glances over at the powerfully sneezing Faeria, "oh, you sail too? Excellent." She pulls out a map of sea currents, "So which route would you like to take? I prefer going just a bit out of the way to hit the south-sea current this time of year. It is a bit longer distance, but once you get to it the speed picks up. Of course I really doubt the ship we are berthed on will give us any say.
“You’ve got your assignment and it seems you’re prepared. If you’ve no more immediate questions, I’ve the next group to brief on their assignment.”
“Don’t be late for the ship! It leaves in two days.”
You’ve got time before you sail to collect up some current information.
Diplomacy or Knowledge (local) to know more about Zarta Dralneen’s history with Cheliax and about the fall of Delvehaven.
Knowledge (history) or Knowledge (nobility) to know more about House Davian.
Knowledge (geography) or Knowledge (local) to know more about the laws of Cheliax and the people who defy them.
You find someone at Arcanarium with a reputation for knowing about the various extraplanar creatures. With an offer of an ale and a light meal, you get them talking.
Masters of corruption and despoilers of purity, devils seek to destroy all things good and drag mortal souls back with them to the depths of Hell. Possessed of deadly infernal powers and unified under the banner of Asmodeus, the Prince of Darkness, and his eight archdevil tyrants, the legions of Hell guard and torment the foulest spirits of the multiverse, but ever eye the worlds of the Material Plane in search of new conquests.
All devils are immune to fire and poison. Most resist damage from weapons that are not silver or good aligned, some require that the weapon be both.
There is a hierarchy to the infernal planes.
Least Devils: imps, lemures
Lesser Devils: bearded devils (barbazus), erinyes, barbed devils (hamatulas), bone devils (osyluths)
Greater Devils: horned devils (cornugons), ice devils (gelugons), pit fiends
Lords of Hell: Dukes of Hell, archdevils, Asmodeus
Lemures are the fodder of the infernal realms, evil souls that have all traces of the original personality destroyed. They act more on instinct than intellect.
Imps sometimes become the familiars of foolish spellcasters, offering their services while always trying to tempt them to damn their own souls further. They are tiny flying creatures with a poisonous stinger on the tail.
Bearded devils would be the infantry, wielding vicious glaives and infected beards which makes it difficult for any injuries to heal.
Erinyes are aerial assassins, using a rope or bow.
Barbed devils have quills all over their bodies and inflict fear with their attacks.
Bone devils have a poisonous tail and act as interrogators within the ranks of hell.
There are other more specialized lesser devils, but they are much more rare.
Even the lesser devils are too strong for most mortals to fight.