Since arriving in Minkai within the past few months, you have been working with Venture-Captain Amara Li to help lay the groundwork for a lodge in Minkai, performing a variety of tasks that are well-suited to your individual skills. Amara Li has been collecting relics from across the world to house in a new museum with a focus on relics from Minkaian history that have been kept in other nations. To this end, she has been traveling all over the nation to pursue leads.
Yet, it seems that she has recently returned to Sakakabe, the prosperous city famous for its trade in silver and pearls, for you have received a summons from the Venture-Captain.
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Khaul Irontoe, champion of Torag, Shield of the Weak, and still slightly singed dwarf makes his way to meet Amara Li.
He offers a deep bow. "Greeting Captain. I've heard a tale or two about yer from me cousin. He did barely justice to yer though. I be Khaul of clan Irontoe, and am here to see that naught ill befalls any on the tasks yer wana be settin us."
The said dwarf wears battered armor. At his side hangs a hefty looking warhammer, one that perhaps has seen better days. And upon his left arm hangs a slightly dented looking shield - the symbol of Torag proudly sitting in its middle.
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Swayaah's greatest mystery had been solved. Her dad was a statue for the last few decades, since the last edition of Pathfinder Society. Mom found him, freed him (probably through theft) but they were back. The family was back together again.
How annoying.
Dad's jokes got on her nerves, and mom still refused to clean up the home, still charming others to do her bidding. At least Fae was willing to pick up the slack. Dad loved her as much as he loved his birth daughter.
Amara Li must have read Swayaah's mind, as she would do anything to get out of her home. Official Pathfinder Society business! Sorry, love to stay and chat but I need to go. Off to Minkai!
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Two Tieflings enter Sakakabe. The taller one is used to the stares, especially when they notice her tail and claws. Talk, talk, talk. Make friends. Get directions, be on your way, tuck your hat a bit lower, tell Fae to follow. Look for wayfinders.
"Hi everyone, I'm Swayaah Maelerant...i." She offers a hand to shake with. "This is my assistant, Fae. She's shy. Amara Li called you over here, I assume?"
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"Well, this venture has real potential, doesn't it?" says a smartly turned out, well-muscled human man at the side of the room. "Rafe Thoresby, explorer, pleased to make all of your acquaintances." You are unsure from his tone whether he actually means it. He carries a Dwarven Waraxe and shield on his back.
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Another dwarf enters the room. Between him and Khaul they have both ends covered since he is an Ironhead.
He doesn't speak to anyone simply nods a greeting to each person. The scowl on his face seems permanent and scrunches up his eyes so much it's questionable whether they even exist. His long red hair is receding and his long red beard is braided.
He gives an extra nod of recognition to his fellow dwarf and a questioning but approving look when he sees Rafe's weapon.
His own waraxe is strapped to his back and he carries another weapon of his fathers, a clan dagger at his waist.
He offers a deep bow. "Greeting Captain. I've heard a tale or two about yer from me cousin. He did barely justice to yer though. I be Khaul of clan Irontoe, and am here to see that naught ill befalls any on the tasks yer wana be settin us.
"I am pleased to hear this, Khaul Irontoe. But, please, enjoy your tea. Then, we will turn our attention to more serious matters." Venture-Captain Li replies with a respectful nod. A gentle breeze delivers the scent of nearby flowers along with the tones of samisen music. The summons indicated that the party should meet here, in one of the gardens of the Kiniro Kyomai teahouse, a famous teahouse run by geisha. The quality of its tea, food, and music make the teahouse a popular destination for locals and travelers alike.
Once introductions have been made and tea has been drunk, Venture-Captain Li turns her attention to more serious matters as promised.
“I fear that misfortune may have struck some of your fellow agents." she begins. "I hope that you can help them return here to safety, but I fear the task I have to request of you may instead center around recovering what you can from your fallen allies and, if it is safe to do so, completing the mission in their stead."
After a brief pause, Li senses that that the party has noted balk at the idea of a recovery mission, and she then continues. “Last year, I received a donation of relics from Taldor. The route is lengthy and complicated, so I will spare you unnecessary details. A caravan carrying the relics safely arrived in Hongal to the north, where it met up with a pair of Pathfinder agents, Lin Po and Ti Lan. These agents inspected the cargo, sent me a missive indicating that all was in order, and joined a second caravan to take the Spirit Road through the Forest of Spirits."
"The journey is understandably long, taking over two months to complete. Still, the caravan is late, and I fear that they may have run into trouble along the way. They were supposed to reach Sakakabe two weeks ago."
“While it’s possible that they were waylaid in the northernmost parts of Minkai, I believe it’s far more likely that they ran into trouble in the Forest of Spirits, a mystical place that shelters departed souls and most of the world’s kami. Kami are spiritual guardians with a deep connection to certain living locations or living things. The locals pay great respect to the kami, never intruding further into the forest than their one coastal road, the Spirit Road, and a number of small settlements built around shrines. This should make tracking the caravan simple, since there’s only a single road along which they should have had to rest or resupply at some point. I need you to check each of the roadside settlements until you find the last one to have seen the caravan, then track it from there and figure out what happened.”
“Be sure to respect the kami and the local traditions honoring them; I don’t want you to come to harm in you journey. The kami are mostly benevolent, so long as they receive the proper respect, but there are some dangers that might have harried the caravan. Bandits, hobgoblins, and giants, among other creatures, dwell within the forest. The forest also hosts some aggressive plants and animals, not to mention malign spirits such as the oni, the sworn enemies of the kami."
"The locals will know more than I of what perils to expect.”
Another breeze causes the Venture-Captain's dark hair to sway as she pauses to allow the party to ask any questions.
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Fae hesitates to sit down, listen to the music and drink tea. She's not used to getting served. Swayaah turns back. "Just drink the tea. Slowly. It's hot."
Swayaah writes Amara Li's missive into her journal. "The kami... they won't mind someone like me, right?" she flexes her claws. "Sometimes benevolent spirits dig a bit too deep into my heritage."
"Language will be an issue, yeah. If they know Sylvan I can chat with them, but I don't know the local language here... Say! Venture-Captain. Can you describe Lin Po and Ti Lan for me in a bit more detail?"
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"So I'm in an entirely new place, on a new continent, with new people, but another caravan has had trouble? Well, they do say there's nothing new under the sun!" Rafe frowns and looks at Khaul. "I do have to say though, Khaul here has a point. I speak Taldane, Draconic, Elven, Mwangi, Osirian and Azlanti, but none of the local languages. Do you have an interpreter for us? A local guide?"
He looks around at the teahouse, "The hospitality here is amazing. I could get used to this."
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Ulfgar does not hesitate to partake of the hospitality of the place, though he seems wildly out of place. His clothing, armor and gear are all well worn and covered in a perpetual layer of dust. He holds the cup by the cup, rather than the handle, wincing a bit at the heat just as he does after taking a loud sip. He foregoes the napkin he's been provided, wiping the excess tea off his lips with the back of his hand, though he does, then pick up the square piece of fabric to dab at his beard.
He doesn't voice his thanks to those serving the tea but does nod gratefully and toast them silently.
In what would not be a surprise to anyone who knows him, he has no questions. Or, at least, gives voice to none.
"While I be happy with da trees, I be happy to give respect to the trees so long as they be not conflictin with the teachin of me lord Torag. But how are we to do this if we cannie speak with them?"
"I would not ask you to violate any tenants of your faith, Khaul Irontoe. Nor would I expect you to need to speak the language of plants," replies the Venture-Captain. "The Taldane tongue is not unknown in these lands. Further, though certain signs of respect and honor may vary from culture to culture, the integrity of an act done in respect or genuineness of a display made in honor can be discerned and recognized by all manner of beings regardless of their place of origin. If you are sincere in your efforts and mindful in your actions, then I would expect you to have no difficulties conveying your true intent."
"The kami... they won't mind someone like me, right?" she flexes her claws. "Sometimes benevolent spirits dig a bit too deep into my heritage."
"The spirits can be fickle at times, it is true," Li notes. "They know enough of outsiders and half-fiends to know that, while one may have propensities, one need not necessarily be governed by them.”
"Language will be an issue, yeah. If they know Sylvan I can chat with them, but I don't know the local language here... Say! Venture-Captain. Can you describe Lin Po and Ti Lan for me in a bit more detail?"
“Tien is, as one would imagine, the dominant language within this region,” notes Li. “However, due to travel and trade, there are those in the region that know some of the Taldane tongue. Lin Po and Ti Lan are among them."
"As for a description of the two, Lin Po is a short, heavyset Tian man with a round, cleanshaven face and an irrepressible sense of humor, affable even under stressful conditions. His partner Ti Lan is an athletic woman who stands a few inches taller than Lin Po, with broad shoulders and, shall we say, a more stern demeanor.”
"I do have to say though, Khaul here has a point. I speak Taldane, Draconic, Elven, Mwangi, Osirian and Azlanti, but none of the local languages. Do you have an interpreter for us? A local guide?"
“Under usual circumstances, I would have offered the services of Lin Po or Ti Lan. Each is quite fluent in Taldane.” laments the Venture-Captain. “I can provide you with provisions for your long journey, a pair of horses, a sturdy wagon, a repair kit, and, of course, a map. I wish I could offer more, but I know you to be resourceful agents and trust this will suffice.”
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"A sketch of Lin Po to Ti Lan would be helpful.." suggests Khaul.
He then pauses for a moment. "And maybe a letter of introduction? If they have been waylaid or distracted, then a letter signed by you as an introduction maybe helpful."
He thinks further before adding. "And they are *very* trustworthy? I mean no disrespect, but even good folk have been lured from the path of the righteous by... the possibility of immediate gain..."
"A sketch of Lin Po to Ti Lan would be helpful.." suggests Khaul.
He then pauses for a moment. "And maybe a letter of introduction? If they have been waylaid or distracted, then a letter signed by you as an introduction maybe helpful."
He thinks further before adding. "And they are *very* trustworthy? I mean no disrespect, but even good folk have been lured from the path of the righteous by... the possibility of immediate gain..."
"I do not consider myself much the artist, but I will do my best." The Venture-Captain produces an ink well, quill, and some paper and creates a pair of modest portraits, which she signs with flourish. "The two know my work, this should suffice as a letter of introduction."
"As for any insinuations as to their trustworthiness...," Venture-Captain Amara Li pauses and a stern, upbraiding look overtakes her face as she chooses her words carefully. "It is evident that you know not either Lin Po or Ti Lan. I, however, know them each better than I know any of you."
"When they failed to report in, I selected you each for this mission," she continues, selecting her words delicately in the hope of conveying her meaning without casting aspersions on the character of any present.
Ulfgar recalls no further information about the Forest of Spirits and what Swayaah recalls is only general information about the Forest of Spirits, including its dense populations of kami and mostly benign spirits that can possess living creatures to share memories but exert little control over their hosts.
Graeyson notes that the spirits in the forest are neither truly divine nor occult in nature, but instead are primal manifestations.
It takes several weeks of travel on a road that winds through the Osogen Grasslands to reach the Forest of Spirits by wagon, despite the fact that Sakakabe is the closest city to the forest. Along the way, you occassionally cross paths with travelers heading south into Minkai, as well as the nomadic herders who call the rolling plains home. No one you meet in the grasslands has seen the caravan that you are charged with finding.
Upon entry into the Forest of Spirits, the atmosphere changes. The forest is cool and damp, and profoundly alive. Snow blankets the ground and clings to branches of towering pine and spruce trees. Birds, rodents, foxes, deer, bears, and numerous other creatures roam through the woods, keeping their distance from the road. The density of the trees suggests that logging is almost unheard of in this forest.
Animals are not the only creatures moving out in the woods. Occasionally there are hints of some unexplained movement in the trees and rocks. Other times, there is a sense as if someone is watching the road and those travelling upon it.
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Swayaah chats with every caravan, noting their dialect, what they do for a living, how they dress, what they think of tieflings. Small chat sometimes pays off big time.
The forest really seems alive. Reminds her of grandma's home. Minus the fire. And the assassins. Okay, nothing like grandma's. Except the scenery is alive. It's beautiful, really.
Swayaah doesn't understand a thing out here, but the outdoors gives her the peace and quiet she loves. No one judges you out here.
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Khaul works his way up and down the caravan. He talks to basically everyone, exchanging the time of day, and getting a feel for who he can understand, and who can understand him. Heck, he might even pick up a little bit of Tien on the way.
In the evening he sets up his anvil and happily offers to re-shoe any horses that have lost theirs, or fix holes in pots, and generally make the craft of his master useful to one and all.
Generally though, as the weeks wear on and the forest closes in, he finds himself closer and closer to the front, expecting that if there is any trouble to be found, that is where it will first be seen.
That said, unlike some dwarfs, Khaul is quite happy in the forest surrounds. As the leafy trees reach overhead, a certain calmness comes upon him. They might not be the trees of home, but it is a forest none the less.
Progressing through the forest, you come across several small villages, none of which have seen the caravan that you are looking for. Signs of passage from several caravans and groups that travelled on foot can be found as well as the remains of campsites right next to the trail. However, there are no indications that any of these groups came to harm.
Eventually, you come upon village nestled deeper in the forest’s outskirts just as dusk begins to settle. The smell of burning wood leads to a small house ahead. Outside, a gangly, young man is cutting through the remains of a thick tree with a five-foot lance-tooth crosscut saw.
Upon seeing you, he stops his work, rises to his feet and bows in greeting. He calls out something in Tien.
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Khaul steps forward, his warhammer left strapped to his back.
"Sorry laddie. I no speak yer tongue. Yer wouldn't be fluen in Taldane or dwarvish now would ye by any chance?"
He looks around for one of the others in the caravan who might be able to help translate if he is out of luck with the fellows language skills..
"Tal-dane?" he repeats slowly and with more than a hint of uncertainty. He inquires in broken Taldane, "You travelers of Goka, then?"
Goka's inhabitants come from across Tian Xia and included Tians of every possible heritage. The main city is also home to a melting pot of other races including aasimars, dwarves, elves, gnomes, half-elves, half-orcs, halflings, kitsune, nagaji, samsarans, and tengus. Beneath the city the Under and Deepmarket are also home to a wide variety of other inhabitants including caligni, a large number of ratfolk, xulgaths, and wayangs.
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"We came through Goka. Fascinating place. Would love to spend more time there. There are lots of interesting people and potential for expanding one's horizons. But like the lady said, we're Pathfinders. I'm actually from a nation called Hermea. I'll tell you about it sometime." says Rafe, looking like he hopes the man asks him more. Throughout the journey, everyone will realise that Rafe does like to talk about himself.
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Swayaah tries not to groan at Rafe. Focus on the woodcutter.
"Goka indeed. We've been traveling from there for the last few weeks."
"We're looking for a caravan that may have traveled through here, or was on route here."
"Maybe you could tell us a bit about your hometown. Where are we?" Swayaah offers honey first. Tends to calm the locals down.
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When they get to the hut, Ulfgar does little to help with the negotiations. He simply stands to the side with his arms crossed over his chest, studying the man before him and his home.
Then again, it would be surprising if he suddenly started talking now since he hasn't spoken at all during the trip, simply trailing out ahead of the caravan while they travel and returning each night for food and sleep.
He looks for anything unusual about the boy or hut. They've been warned about spirits, after all.
When they get to the hut, Ulfgar does little to help with the negotiations. He simply stands to the side with his arms crossed over his chest, studying the man before him and his home.
He looks for anything unusual about the boy or hut. They've been warned about spirits, after all.
Ulfgar concludes that the young man is corporeal enough. As he looks around, the dwarf notices that man's home and the surrounding area is full of what appear to be shrines--some contain small statues, others candles and incense burners, still others ritually placed offerings of rice, nuts, or dried fruit. He concludes the man and, at least most of the villagers, are quite reverent to the beasts and spirits that are rumored to dwell within the forest. Indeed, the nature of some of the offerings suggest that the villagers view humanoids as beholden to the beasts of the woods.
"Have you seen them?"
"Cannot quite say," The man says shaking his head. "Several caravans from Avistan have passed along the Spirit Road in recent months. When was the drawn folk's caravan expected to pass through village?"
Based upon what Amara Li shared with you about when the caravan was expected to enter the Forest or to arrive in Minkai, coupled with an estimation of the caravan’s path based on how long it took them to reach the village and he map of the Forest of Spirits that you received from Amara Li, you conclude that the caravan should have passed through this village about six weeks ago.
QUOTE="Amelia Devinwood"] Amelia chimes in, probably for the worse. "We are Pathfinders..you know, the Society" She says pulling a wayfinder from her pocket and dangling it by Khaul's face.
"We would appreciate any help finding our allies"
The man's eyes light up when he sees the wayfinder. "Oh, yes!" he says, looking pleased. He reaches out to accept the wayfinder.
"I'm actually from a nation called Hermea. I'll tell you about it sometime." says Rafe, looking like he hopes the man asks him more. Throughout the journey, everyone will realise that Rafe does like to talk about himself.
"I think I would like that," the man replies. "How long you do the remaining here?"
The Varisian will keep an eye out for trouble.
Graeyson notes figures peeking out of windows and doors beginning to open, pouring more villagers into the streets, a result of the flurry of questions, the appearance of the wagon, and the activities brought on by the Pathfinders' arrival. As they emerge from their homes, the villagers pass small shrines outside of their harms or in their yards. Many stop at one or two of the shrines for a moment to pay respects or provide a small offering before continuing on to where the party now stands.
Graeyson discerns that the villagers know much about the forest, its kami, and, most likely, any related stories.
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Swayaah relaxes and taps Fae's shoulder. "Time to talk to the locals. Keep cool and relaxed. Take some notes while you're at it."
Fae chimes in and helps someone with a minor detail about the automations and bizarre beasts from the greater beyond.
Swayaah sees a bully picking on some of the weaker villagers. She stares down the bully. Once he's gone, Swayaah helps the villagers recover. They're a bit more receptive.
But Swayaah is quite receptive to the town itself. It's quiet. The nice kind that doesn't end with an assassin's blade. She sits on a rock in the village square and just listens...
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Rafe decides to share a bit about himself and his background to try to get the villagers onside and willing to share info with him.
He describes the dragon-influenced island he comes from and talks of the education and meritocratic government. He is more successful than he was expecting.
".....so how do these Kami fit in?"
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Like Khaul, Ulfgar is not ready to intimidate anyone in the village. Unlike Khaul, he has no other skills to offer at the moment.
While the other Pathfinders are chatting up the villagers, he moves to the shrines, pausing at each to pay his respects and even say a small prayer. He whispers and, in fact, no sound may actually escape his lips but he says more words at any one of the shrines than he has to any living person he's with.
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No touching... Amelia says pulling it away from the man's grasp. "This was a gift and would like to keep it"
The young man seems somewhat taken aback by Amelia's actions, but does not seem offended.
The party has little difficulty obtaining information from various villagers, who clearly are quite knowledgeable and also have great reverence for the kami.
Based upon the information provided by the villagers, you learn that this village was the last place the caravan stopped to rest before continuing on the eastward branch of the Spirit Road, a branch that leads toward Minkai but forks in a few locations. The road’s exact path varies over time, with detours and new paths forming to more easily avoid disturbing the wildlife. Strangely, despite warnings from the villagers, the caravan chose to take an older path toward Minkai, which veers into thicker woodland for several days’ journey before rejoining the main road. The caravan’s members were determined to take this alternate path, but they did not share their reasoning with the villagers.
He describes the dragon-influenced island he comes from and talks of the education and meritocratic government. He is more successful than he was expecting.
".....so how do these Kami fit in?"
The villagers explain that kami are among the Yokai, creatures associated with the spirit world. Kami are a race of good or neutral native outsiders who are bound to a particular entity, be it an animal, a location, an object or a plant, referred to as a ward. Kami often think of their wards in a manner similar to how a human might think of a young child placed into his or her care. There are countless species of kami—in theory, every type of animal, plant, object, and location could be served by its own type of kami.
The first kami appeared in what was to become Minkai in the Age of Creation. Kami were created by the gods when the Material Plane was young and tasked to preserve and protect places and things that could not protect themselves. Originally intended as guardians of those parts of nature that could not protect themselves, kami have proven remarkably adaptive. As the nature of reality changes, so do the kami.
In practice, there are far more wards in creation than there are kami. As such, all kami seek to reproduce and thus expand their influence—the more kami, the more wards what benefit from their protection.
Accordingly, kami influence is usually regional in nature—the kami simply aren't numerous enough yet to protect all of creation.
Kami are generally a peaceable race, cohabitating with friendly fey and other magical beings that reside in natural environments. While kami are rarely evil, they place the protection of their wards above all else. Often, this puts them at odds with other creatures, and as a result, many outsiders tend to view kami as troublemakers at best and outright monsters at worst. The kami have little care for how they are viewed by non-kami, of course—what matters to them is the safety of their wards.
The villagers note that the Forest of Spirits can be dangerous and, by way of explanation, they tell the tale of Zaokoyu. In 290 AR, the samurai warrior, Zaokoyu, led an army to the northernmost limits of the Teikoku Shogunate, sometimes referred to as the First Kingdom of Minkai. Zaokoyu's army stretched ever northward, seeking to cement and extend the areas of influence under the Shogunate. That influence never extended beyond the edge of teh Forest of Spirits. For, when Zaokoyu attempted to venture further northward into the forest, he and his men were slaughtered by an army of irate kami. The site of his death has served as the de facto southern border of the forest ever since.
As a means of protection, the villagers offer they party a vial of lesser bestial mutagen.
Just as the gift is presented, cries can be heard outside. Villagers on the perimeter have sounded the alarm, causing townsfolk to scatter. The village is under attack!
Out of the fog and snow, skeletal forms can be seen emerging.
Pictures of foes now on Slides.
RATTLING BONES! - Round One Begins!
Swayaah
Ulfgar
Graeyson
Rafe
Red
Khaul
Blue
Amelia
Yellow
Black