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Ashasar, Liaison to the Seat of Balance, sits perched on the
low roof of a building labeled the Four Winds. Although he
represents the most powerful member of the Concordance’s
ruling council, his manner is whimsical. A cloud
of dust in the shape of an airship flies around
his head, bobbing, weaving, and making
whooshing noises. “I am glad to see all of you here. Step
inside, please.” He hops gracefully off the roof and enters the building. The dust airship follows closely behind him.
Inside the building, travelers gather around low tables, enjoying the
establishment’s renowned cooking. An air elemental carries a trio of plates to a new table, each bearing some sort of pie with a halo of bubbles floating above it. “It simply would not do to set a team without the proper balance on a task as important as this one—we must combat what may be a grave threat, and we have the chance to gain respect from those who dismiss us as a
radically idealistic organization. But I’ve gotten ahead of myself
again, haven’t I? Your task is simple in the telling, meaning
that it promises to be anything but simple in the doing. That is
always the way of things, is it not?
“Airship captains have reported a region of disturbed currents
where the flows of air upon which they rely have become erratic.
Several ships have disappeared entirely, and all travel through
the area has ceased. As far as I’ve been able to discern, no one
has had the crucial combination of courage and dedication to
journey to the heart of the irregularities and uncover the sources
of the imbalance. Find this source and put a stop to it if you
can. It’s far enough away that you’ll need an airship for at least
part of the journey. How close you’ll be able to get, well, that
I cannot say. It depends upon the bravery of the captains and
the silver on your tongues, I suppose,” Ashasar chuckles. “Any
questions for me?”
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What is the Seat of Balance?
Concordance of Elements, each occupying one of the
elemental seats of air, earth, fire, or water, with a fifth
Seat of Balance to facilitate decisions and oversee the
council’s decisions. Each of these leaders has a liaison
who executes his or her will, allowing the council to focus
on the Concordance’s guiding philosophies and goals. I
am the Liaison of the Seat of Balance.”
Do you have any idea what could have caused the
irregularities?
I’m sure you could come up with hundreds of ideas, too.
If you are asking me whether I have any ideas with a
shred of evidence, well, now that is a different question.
Regardless of the cause, I would expect powerful magic to
be at its core.” Ashasar turns to address Octaris. “And that
is why I am so pleased that you in particular responded
to the summons.”
How should we go about getting an airship?
the docks and start asking around. You’ll need someone
brave enough to head off into dangerous weather and
unstable currents. Besides that, in my experience, airship
captains can get a bit touchy around fire, so you might
need to reassure them that you are safe passengers.”
Where is the irregularity?
region, I do not know its exact location. Fortunately,
no one knows the skies better than a seasoned airship
captain. I’m certain you’ll find one who knows the way.”
Before the PCs depart, Ashasar provides them with a
letter of credit for their airship fare. He says, “This letter
should be sufficient to pay passage, so long as you can
find a captain willing to take you in the first place.”
KNOWLEDGE (PLANES)
5+:
[spoiler]The metropolis of Armun Kelisk is the largest
settlement on the Plane of Air, boasting over six million
residents. The most common inhabitants of Armun
Kelisk are the air genies, known as djinni, followed by
whimsical air mephits. After mephits rank the spherical
elemental servitors known as air wysps, air elementals,
and sylphs. All of these races are as familiar to the PCs
as humans, dwarves, or elves would be to a typical PC
hailing from Golarion..
10+:
who are traveling a relatively short distance rely upon
their own natural abilities to fly. For faster transportation,
travelers use flying mounts or rent an airship..[/hide]
15+: In the Plane of Air, there is no sun, but the genies
who rule the city create an artificial day/night cycle in
Armun Kelisk. They also stabilize gravity in the city to
facilitate trade with people from other planes..
KNOWLEDGE (GEOGRAPHY)
The PCs may know about airship travel. The PCs recall
all information whose DC is less than or equal to the
result of their check.
10+:
Plane of Air’s currents to travel. Reliable and fast currents
form the plane’s primary transportation network.
15+:
travelers alike is pockets of dead air, where the
air becomes extraordinarily heavy and dense. In such
places, airships stall, and the air becomes unbreathable..
A stern looking air planar kin stands before the others wearing nice yet rustic leather armor and wielding a nice spear.
He tells the assembled group in a rather haughty voice "Airship captains rely on their knowledge of the Plane of Air’s currents to travel. Reliable and fast currents form the plane’s primary transportation network. The greatest danger to airship captains and airbreathing travelers alike is pockets of dead air, where the air becomes extraordinarily heavy and dense. In such places, airships stall, and the air becomes unbreathable..."
The vaguely serpent shaped figure seemed as if she was to burst into fire at any second. ”We must let the captains know I can control my flames,” she purrs with a nod at the others.
Know. Planes
”Armun Kelisk is the biggest city in the Plane of Air. Genies, air mephits, wisps, elementals and sylphs are commonplace. A lot of them fly, but others use air ships or mounted that can fly. There’s no sun there, but the genies who run the place create an artificial day/night cycle. Gravity is also stabilized there.”
Ember flies around Allarea. "I agree with this barbarian here. I've heard of this Armun Kelisk. Fascinating place if you ask me. I could tell you endless stories from what I've heard, but we have a mission here at hand."
Octaris freezes as Ashasar address him, Of.. course, I wouldn't miss this opportunity for anything. Seems like a great chance to study what's happening here in the Plane of Air, and visit Armun Kelisk as well. Yes, much can be learned here... he trails off, listening to Allarea share what she knows about the city.
Jack the genie starts wondering, and others ask the questions before him. He starts to pick his brain on the planes and Ember beats him to it. Alright, looks like we are all set then. At least I am.
"I believe you are referring to Armun Kelisk, are you not?", Krakos says in his deep, gravelly voice. His voice is deep and gravelly. "I have not visited there for years...."
With a nod to the air planar kin, Krakos says, "I trust your judgment on the best airship to charter. My name is Krakos, by the way."
”Any of you sort good with talking to others? The most silver tongued of the group will probably be needed to get us passage on a ship.”
"not I"
Oh, right! I'm Octaris. I can talk to people! but I am better with books and all... the small mephit gestures in a vaguely arcane manner as if to indicate some magical significance.
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As you head to the docks you travel through a wide open street. Just ahead you spot a group of air elementals is putting up fliers near the Four Winds advertising today’s special, bubble halo pie. As the elementals spin, and turn the posters fly off in all directions, miraculously all sticking to nearby walls right-side up.
"Wow halo pie!" shouts someone in a gathering crowd.
"So if I am to understand this properly- there is a problem with the flow of certain air currents and we are tasked with investigating it. The location in question is outside of the city and thus we need the services of an air ship to get there?" Zephyr asks the others.
”That seems to be the long and short of it. Sounds like the toughest part might be finding a captain who will take on the mission with us…”
Ember smiles as she lands on Allarea's shoulders. "For the mighty Ember can find us passageway."
Upon seeing the elementals put up posters, Ember is slightly distracted. "What is this 'halo pie'? Haven't heard of it before."
Octaris looks distracted by the thought of mango baked delicacies, Should we find a halo pie to sample its pleasures before we go? I mean, I don't want us to delay our research, but this does seem worthwhile for a quick side trip... he looks at the others wonderingly.
Zephyr looks at the others and just shakes his head...
"Indeed, Octaris. My brethren would normally starve before tasting such fare, but I have taken a liking to it."
Krakos walks over to one of the posters to see where they can be sampled.
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"Indeed, Octaris. My brethren would normally starve before tasting such fare, but I have taken a liking to it."
Krakos walks over to one of the posters to see where they can be sampled.
Krakos sees that the pies are found at the Wind Duke bakery about 3 blocks away. He renumbers the bakery is on the way to the airship docks.
Ember zips around. "A mango pie! Yes. I do love a good adventure. Especially a culinary adventure. It's not too far out of the way. Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
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You travel along a wide thoroughfare lined with colorful market stalls, you spot a group of miniature whirlwinds working together to heft a huge cloth covered in exotic fruits in bright colors and vegetables.
A passing air mephit who is not watching where she is going suddenly slams into the edge of the cloth, setting off its precarious balance and causing dozens of fruits to tumble to the ground. The whirlwinds shout in anger. "Lady you ruined our jogan fruit!! You better pay! Hope you have gold!"
The mephit shouts back. "Guy, you stacked your cloth and crates in the middle of the road!"
"There seems to be the possibility of trouble..." Zephyr warns the others.
Know. Planes
”Air wysps….they are very common here.”
"Yes! Air wysps.".
To the mephit, Ember pipes up. "Excuse me, mephit. How much gold are we talking? Maybe I can cover the cost.". She's trying to defuse the situation.
Krakos starts to pickup the fruit. "Here, let me help you clean up. Maybe some of these are salvageable.", he says as he examines a few of the fruits that he has picked up.
Of course they are Air Wysps, doesn't everyone know that? Octaris asks the group, then seeing the obstacle in their path, I thought we were going to sample these mango delights? Why are we stopping with this buffoon? the water mephit complains about the delay and looks exacerbated by the problem
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Krakos starts to pickup the fruit. "Here, let me help you clean up. Maybe some of these are salvageable.", he says as he examines a few of the fruits that he has picked up.
The air wysp turns to Kraksos and screams. "Salvageable! Salvageable! With these blemishes! " He waves a purple fruit at Krakos's nose.
Diplomacy
”Perhaps we could help sort this out as Ember said. Everyone knows you mephits are really smart. I suspect you’d like to come up with a resolution,” the Volcano explains, trying her best to control her innate rage.
"Let us hurry through this minor cake issue and continue on to do our mission. Once we get there we should investigate the disturbance entirely. We must leave no stone uncovered- as they say..." Zephyr tells the others as the silver tongued members deal with this nuisance.
air wysps Jack turns towards her allies. Well, this ain't going well, but, the Mephit should shape up with some discipline, or a scare.
She starts pulling out some copper. "Here, let me pay for the fruit.". She doesn't want a conflict arise, unlike Jack. The tiny dragon flies around and eventually lands on Allarea's shoulder. "Do you mind if I ... " she sniffs the fruit the wisp is waving in front of her.
Zephyr looks around for some sort of danger or violence if this situation unravels...
If he sees none and believing the gods want the group to succeed at some sort of task here- Zephyr begins to speak.
"I apologize for what has happened to you here. I am sure we can come to some sort of an agreement. My friends meant no disrespect nor did anyone else here. These unfortunate things happen from time to time. Please allow my friend to speak to you again and I am sure you will find their words soothing." Zephyr tells the merchants and guards hoping to diffuse the situation and allow Allarea another chance (roll) to do better...
"We are just trying to help...we had nothing to do with this mess. Now... Here. Is. Your. Fruit.", he says in a deep, gravelly voice as he slowly nods at the the fruit in his arms.
Octaris grits his teeth and condescends to speak to the merchants and help further the situation, We can try to help here, if we must. We simply cannot spend too much more time helping here...
Aid another intimidate
”I tried to be nice and you wouldn’t let me be, mephit! So you go 9n. And fruit seller, you take your fruit and be darn happy that we dont eat some for our trouble!”
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Ember flies an Krakos's shoulders and tries to looks majestic and regal.
Switching his tone Zephyr aids the barbarian member by saying "It would be best for you both to adhere to what my companion has told you! There has been enough trouble today and the guards have better things to do than deal with a local squabble!"
Jack could try diplomacy