You begin your adventure in the Lantern Lodge in Goka, where you meet with Venture-Captain Amara Li
As the early dawn’s light crests over the Wall of Heaven mountain range, the Lantern Lodge is already bustling with activity. The sound of clashing swords echoes in the air from a nearby training area, and a group of Pathfinder agents silently meditates in the front courtyard. The lodge’s doors open, revealing a long corridor and a faint floral aroma wafts gently in the air. Sturdy shelves laden with artifacts from all corners of Tian Xia line the corridor’s walls.
Venture-Captain Amara Li emerges from a door labeled “Taldor Room” in a fine cherry-red kimono. “Good morning, Pathfinders. I hope your travels have been safe and enjoyable,” Li says. “Please, come inside.”
The Taldor Room is an opulent meeting space with a solid mahogany table and ornately carved chairs. Its walls are adorned with ornamental weapons and portraits of noble families in resplendent finery. Elegant porcelain teacups and plates sit in front of each chair, and several platters of fruit, cakes, and cheeses occupy the center of the table, surrounding a steaming pot of tea.
The venture-captain pours herself a cup of tea and continues, “As I’m sure you are aware, the Grand Lodge was attacked a few months ago. Since then, the Society has been following any and all leads that could help us find and arrest the Aspis criminals behind the assault. From Varisia to Nirmathas to Absalom itself, the Society has successfully gathered a substantial amount of information about Aspis operations. We have combined our own resources with the reports of a turncoat within the Consortium whom we have taken to calling ‘Three Rings’ to create a list of vital Aspis operatives all across Golarion. One in particular, Tseka, lives beneath Goka, in a warren of tunnels and ruins called Undermarket. Specifically, she lives in its deepest levels, known as Deepmarket. Tseka works from the shadows, and makes most of her profits from black market trades. Deepmarket is a dark and dangerous community of criminals, thieves, and outcasts. Those who don’t know the area or have connections to protect them make easy targets. I recommend using a little subterfuge to help yourselves blend in, and to give Tseka as little time to prepare for your approach as possible.”
The venture-captain places a small wooden chest on the table and says, “To get inside Deepmarket, I propose that you pose as smugglers bringing in a fresh round of contraband. Once there, find Tseka. We know that she has valuable information, so do everything in your power to bring her back alive, and collect whatever documents you find in her base of operations. I do not know where within Deepmarket she resides. Gather what information you can from the locals in Undermarket, and seek out a guide to help you navigate these treacherous waters. Do you have any questions?”
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Xiao Jr. is a small Halfling with features that show his Tian origin.
He has a buckler in his hand and wears a custom-fit chain shirt suit that looks like it has been recently oiled.
Resting on top of his chest, an amulet showing the holy symbol of Chaldira Zuzaristan is visible.
Xiao Jr. is sitting on a military saddle on top of a riding dog that looks like a mixture of a black wolfhound and a mastiff.
It is clear that this dog can fight while carrying a rider and Xiao Jr is in control.
On Xiao Jr.'s shoulder you see a flying bat that has dark black fur which in some areas has a brown coloring.
Xiao Jr, his riding dog 'Pars' and his flying bat familiar 'Khafaash' enter and you see that Xiao Jr is beaming.
He turns to all of you with his white teeth and broad smile.
"What a great decision that our group remained so stable!! We must have made an impression team!!! Only our monk is sadly missing!" Xiao junior says to the rest.
“Venture-Captain Li, I am honored to work with you so close to home! And this sounds like the right mission for me! Can you tell us more about Tseka‘s abilities or his allies? And some more information on the deepmarket would also be great. And … maybe more about this attack on the grand lodge as well please!!“
Xiao Jr. asks with a confident smile.
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Raelene looks around in open curiosity. It is clear this is the first time she has visited this region. She greets each of her companions cordially as they gather. Asking after their health and wellbeing.
As the Venture-Captian lays out the plan, the undine's colour darkens slightly, those familiar with her may read it as a sign of discomfort.
"If we are to pose as smugglers, my first two questions are:
"Do many of my kind, undines that is, I can put away signs of Sarenrae if needed, frequent this area?
"And, if we are to be smugglers, do you have a load of goods prepared for us?"
Venture-Captain Li responds to Xiao in Tian, "ちあん語が話せますか？ Knowing the language may prove useful as you may find that 'common' is distinctly less common here.”
Can you speak Tian?
She pulls out a parchment, "I got word that your monk friend put in a leave request to travel to Rahadoum. Not our favorite place, but it is a rather unique area of Golarion."
She then pulls out a sketched wanted poster, "Unfortunately, working from the shadows has given Tseka a layer of anonymity, but we do know that she is a ratfolk. As for her allies, the Aspis is as, if not more, varied than a group such as yourselves. What forms Tseka's allies now would be hard to guess."
Li then faces Raelene, "Our nation is even more dominated by humans than many others you are likely accustomed to traveling to. Your presence will be an anomaly and will likely draw attention. If you wish to claim you're from this general area for any reason, state you migrated from Wanshou, the area most common to have Undine."
She then thinks about your holy symbols, "Worship of Sarenrae occurs here, but she is not as popular as the more Tian deities such as Shizuru. I'm not sure if I've heard of a Sarenrite smuggler unless they were smuggling people into a better life."
Li then claps her hands once and two chests are carried in.
Amara Li supplies you with a disguise kit and two scrolls of disguise self, as well as a chest full of contraband.
The chest contains a total of 7 pieces of contraband—a dose of blue whinnis poison, a pistol from Alkenstar, a piece of bawdy artwork depicting a Gokan celebrity, jade unholy symbols of Fumeiyoshi, Lady Nanbyo, and Lamashtu, and an engraved darkwood box containing half a dozen oracular fingerbones smuggled out of Po Li.
Almost anything can be found in the black markets of Undermarket under Goka, including drugs, poisons, gambling, slaves, and even firearms.
Rumors hold that one of the many entrances into Undermarket resides inside a silk shop named the Cresting Blossom. Ordinary customers use currency to purchase wares; however, those who provide contraband to the proprietor gain access to a secret tunnel leading far beneath the city
Whispers from the ratfolk of Undermarket tell of the Aspis Consortium’s renewed recruitment efforts in the last few months.
Undermarket is comprised of large caverns. A canal flows through it, allowing contraband shipments to flow in from the Embaral Ocean.
Deeper into Undermarket, lost crypts, burial chambers, and ancient churches liter the ominous caverns. Even locations that seem to be abandoned are frequently repurposed.
Rumors hold that an entrance into the Darklands resides in Deepmarket, hidden among the dozens of tunnels that wind down for miles into the darkness
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He smiles and continues in common.
"I am originally from the The Forest of Spirits in the north of the other side of the continent! My home village is in an immense pine woodland located just below the arctic circle. It lies east of the nation of Hongal and to the northwest of Minkai, separating this latter country from mainland Tian Xia. It is the primeval birthplace of the nature spirits and my village is primarily inhabited by Kitsune and Halflings. You should visit some time!" he says beaming.
He turns to the group.
"Listen everyone, I know a little bit about this place!
Almost anything can be found in the black markets of Undermarket under Goka, including drugs, poisons, gambling, slaves, and even firearms.
Rumors hold that one of the many entrances into Undermarket resides inside a silk shop named the Cresting Blossom. Ordinary customers use currency to purchase wares; however, those who provide contraband to the proprietor gain access to a secret tunnel leading far beneath the city!
Whispers from the ratfolk of Undermarket tell of the Aspis Consortium’s renewed recruitment efforts in the last few months. " Xiao junior says with some excitement.
He continues, "Oh and I also have some information on the location of the market!
Undermarket is comprised of large caverns. A canal flows through it, allowing contraband shipments to flow in from the Embaral Ocean.
Deeper into Undermarket, lost crypts, burial chambers, and ancient churches liter the ominous caverns. Even locations that seem to be abandoned are frequently repurposed.
Rumors hold that an entrance into the Darklands resides in Deepmarket, hidden among the dozens of tunnels that wind down for miles into the darkness!" he says.
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Earlier...
Ferdrin greets his familiar companions as they enter the lantern lodge together.
It seems we're getting good at undertaking missions together. Perhaps we should devise a team-name!
He doesn't yet spend much thought on this as they are ushered into the Taldor room, where he makes himself comfortable.
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The mage listens intently to the briefing, his face scrunched up in his usual "concentration" pose.
After the initial briefing he asks his own question.
So, given that the undermarket and deepmarkets are somewhat dangerous, lawless places I would surmise two things. First that criminals wish to band together to repel the force of law. Secondly, and on the other hand, that cunning criminals tend to seize as much influence as possible in the market and so make some rivals there. So... what is Tseka's place in power in these tunnels and who are their major rivals?
Continuing, he offers Arcane magic might provide ample reinforcement for our disguises as well.
When Xiao junior recites knowledge of undermarket, Ferdrin lights up at the mention of access to the Darklands.
Now that would be fascinating to see. Is there any chance Tseka's operations extend into that realm? He looks at Amara Li expectantly. The mage's curiosities are ever driving his approach to missions.
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"Maybe if challenged I will claim to have originally come to visit distant relatives in Wanshou before making my own way here. If really pushed I could always say I was trying to escape those meddling Pathfinders," Raelene adds the last with a slight smile and raised eyebrow.
She casts a curious gaze over the contraband and takes a closer look at the disguise kits.
"I may need some help with this stuff," Raelene says to her teammates. "This is not something I have any experience with."
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"Maybe if challenged I will claim to have originally come to visit distant relatives in Wanshou before making my own way here. If really pushed I could always say I was trying to escape those meddling Pathfinders," Raelene adds the last with a slight smile and raised eyebrow.
She casts a curious gaze over the contraband and takes a closer look at the disguise kits.
"I may need some help with this stuff," Raelene says to her teammates. "This is not something I have any experience with."
"Just disguise yourself as having green eyes, like creamy jade. You know how rare that is? They won't stop to think about asking."
Amara Li adds in, "While you may not blend in with the populace, that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Just make sure to hide your affiliation with the Society. The Aspis and us obviously do not get along."
She then responds to Ferdrin, "I suppose that is possible, but I certainly hope it's not the reality of the situation. However, many of that subterranean realm’s denizens have made these tunnels their homes over the years. I strongly recommend finding a guide to avoid getting lost in the warren."
Amara Li shakes her head, "There's not much more I can tell you, though I can give you some advice on the guide. A local guide would
be best, as outsiders are unlikely to know which places and people to avoid, but be careful whom you trust below the city. Unscrupulous individuals prey on travelers, picking their pockets or leading them into ambushes."
As you head out, someone finds Xiao so likable; they inform him that the nearest entrance to the Undermarket is through the Cresting Blossom, a local silk shop in the trade district.
When you open the door to the Cresting Blossom, the sound of chiming bells greets them. Inside the shop, the lone merchant Sheng (male human), dusts a multicolored glass vase prominently displayed on the counter. The shop’s walls are lined with fine silk tapestries, and its shelves are stocked with fine glasswork.
"こにちは！日本語がはなせますか？Do you speak Taldane？" the merchant seems to ask.
"Hello! Do you speak Tian? Do you speak Common?" he asks
Right behind the counter, you notice one of the tapestries flutter slightly as though there was a draft from behind it. There is likely a hidden door behind there.
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"Dāngrán!" Brakkik replies, trying to not rub any of the white powder from the disguise kit off his face. His cheeks lie strangely flat, their usual contents tucked into pockets and packs.
"Tiān nǎ, nǐ zhèlǐ yǒu duōme kě'ài de dōngxī," he continues, walking around the shop and nodding appreciatively. "Zhè shì nǐ yǒngyǒu de yīqiè, háishì yǒu gèng duō de hòutái?"
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"We speak many languages!" Xiao Junior says in Tien and smiles.
He then switches to common.
"Hello Sir, as my friend here already indicated we heard of a much larger 'backroom' deeper down? And we are looking for some help to get there! Can you assist us? Pretty please!" Xiao says with his kind voice.
The shopkeeper nods, "The sun doesn’t set without a price. What does it take from you? I guess nothing since I seem to like you so much! Go right on down, right behind this tapestry here!"
Beyond the door, a 50-foot-tall metal spiral staircase descends into darkness. "The stairs end at a single doorway. You must knock five times before entering to signal to the guard. Someone as nice as you should be careful down there. It's a place filled with ruffians and ne'er-do-wells."
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Ferdrin simply looks back and forth between the shopkeep and his companions as they go on in Tian. He sighs in exasperated relief when the switch to common.
I really need to add that language to my repertoire.
When they get to the bottom the mage clears his throat and intones a low incantation, summon a mage hand! Urging it forward, it knocks on the door five times.
The door opens slowly, with a guard checking out the group. Then, after a quick nod, the door swings wide open into a dimly lit, musty cavern.
The warming light from the sun has been replaced with a flickering orange glow that emanates from torches stationed throughout the entirety of this cavern. Buildings made of various types of wood and stone line the walls of this immense grotto, while other ramshackle shops snake their way through the causeway. A large canal in the middle of the cave moves ocean water deeper into the chamber. Multiple slapdash docks with accompanying dinghies bob slowly on the canal. A large building stretches across the canal, its exterior caked in barnacles and algae. The smell of saltwater lingers in the air.
As you travel through Undermarket looking for clues and a guide to take you to Tseka, you encounter a wide variety of people. Unfortunately, many of them lead rougher lives than the citizens on the surface, working as smugglers, mercenaries, or merchants peddling contraband.
You learn about three people that may have information regarding Tseka. A female human named Dorice Vaut, a female tengu named Kuniko, and a male human named Omeck Amani.
Dorice is tall with short hair and wears a scuffed breastplate and a sword at her hip. Rumor is that she was orphaned at a young age and was raised by the thieves guild.
Kuniko is paranoid at the slightest of movements, squawking at imaginary figures she believes are going to shake her down for her debts. She was once an officer on an opium-smuggling vessel
Omeck is an exotic reagent merchant who sells ingredients with a variety of magical and alchemical uses. Tseka is among his regular clients. Omeck is tall and thin, with short black hair and beady brown eyes
As for a guide, you only catch wind of one without raising suspicion. A greedy wayang Odemi (female). You hear that Odemi seeks out travelers to lead through a baffling maze of back-alley “shortcuts”, and then demands that they pay her extra money to convince her not to leave them in the middle of nowhere.
You arrive at Omeck's undermarket stall where he immediately begins trying to sell you his wares, "Alchemical magnesium!? Sprit of wine? I have what you need, and I know you need you. You, of course, you need brimstone...or maybe salt! No, wait, saltpeter, definitely the peter one, I say! Maybe just more magnesium!"
While Xiao makes a good case with his likable personality, Omeck is still in the business of making money, [b"One second my good man, can't you see that this esteemed customer wishes to buy my inventory? Yes, yes, let me see if I have any of those things. One moment..."[/b]
He rummages through his bags for a while, "Yes, of course, I know people. Everybody wants to buy my stuff. Why? You looking for someone specific?"
He pulls out some vials, "Well, it's not poppy syrup or lionfish quills, but quicksilver is used in a handful of poisons! Myrrh too! Maybe you need some cytillesh spores!?"
Omeck responds to anyone that mentions Tseka, "Tseka? She’s the one in charge of Aspis business down here. Not that I’ve ever seen her. Few people have. They say she keeps to the shadows, and anyone who crosses her winds up dead before they can even blink." the informant shudders and whispers, “She does a lot of trade in poisons and magical components. It’s a lucrative market, but as I said before, don’t go getting any ideas about skimming a bit of her profits. She’s not the merciful type."
No falsehoods are detected here.
Omeck shakes his head, Somewhere deep in the Undermarket. You don't find Tseka, you find Aspis. Good luck though. If there is one person I don't want business with, it's Tseka."
Dorice is tall with short hair and wears a scuffed breastplate and a sword at her hip. Orphaned at a young age, Dorice only knows the life of a sellsword. She occasionally takes jobs with local thieves’ guilds, such as the Dragon’s Fang.
You find Dorice, but she isn't interested in talking with any "weaklings." "You want to talk to me? You'll need to show me your strength first. Actions are better than words in my line of work."
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After they're alone again, it's apparent Ferdrin has been bothered since they left Omecks shop.
Do you think we should change disguises after each location? I know we had to ask about Tseka, but I fear that very fact will get back to her. If we can help it, we shouldn't look the same as when we asked, when we finally reach her.
When they reach Dorice, Ferdrin once again fades to the back of the group to let the talkers and the stronks show off.