Pirate Purpose (Inactive)

Game Master Pirate Rob

You have all received a letter from Ambrus Valsin.
See page 2 of slides (linked in my header and in the campaign header.

Having arrived in the Blackwood Swamp around the same time the group of you all have some time to kill and introduce yourself before meeting with any of leaders mentioned in the letter.

A tall, lanky half-orc with a mess of curly hair and untrimmed sideburns ambles into the camp. He wears splint mail with a logo of the Pathfinder Society stuck on over the top of another logo (that some of you may recognize as that of the Lumber Consortium). Around his neck is a small wooden pendant with the image of a tankard carved into it, and he pulls out a flask as he stops to look around, taking a swig before offering it around. "Hey folks, I'm Doven."

Quiet footfalls presage the arrival of a small halfling woman. She wears practical traveler's clothes that favour light greens, and her only armament is a dagger. Though anyone that takes the time to study her will see ink-stained fingers, suggesting that her pursuits are mostly academic. When she speaks, the accent of someone from Absalom's Puddles dstrict can be heard. "Hi there Doven. I'm Aurika. It's nice to meet you."

A battered looking upright ratfolk scratches behind an ear that is partly missing. A stained and tattered green cloak pulled back as he munches on some bits of meat left over from his meal. He scratches again thinking to himself on how he is going to get rid of these fleas. Where he came from in time they didn't exist anymore outside of holofiles. But he is here now, with no way back and stuck with them. He sees two others already joining at the meeting spot as he slogs through the muddy road in displeasure "Name's Scerzaq. You all receive a letter from..." He opens his note. "Ambrus as well?" He stops talking as the small Ysoki goes into a hacking cough into the side of his cloak.

"Yup. Seems he wants us to seek out Fola Barun first," Aurika replies to Scerzaq. At the coughing she says, "You okay? You sound like you have Black Lung."

A metallic humanoid stomps into the camp, crunching branches underfoot. Instead of a head, a horn-shaped phonograph speaker rises from his neck. A biomechanical eye stares out from the center of his chest. Below the eye is a stained-glass door that depicts the solar system, much like you'd see on a fine antique clock. What's behind that door is very unlike a clock: a brain floats there, inside a tube of umber fluid.

A scratchy voice comes out of the phonograph; Faldur's words are faded and his accent is a archaic, as if he's somehow from another time. HELLO… I AM PROFESSOR … EMERITUS … FALDUR ADENATHY … OF L-LEPIDSTADT UNIVERSITY . OCCULTIST … ASTRONOMER … INVENTOR . He produces the letter. IT IS … NICE … TO MEET YOU . DO YOU KNOW … FOLA BARUN ?

Several if you know things:

Azlanti was an ancient empire known for its magical achievements, with a particular focus on earth magic. Scholars believe their social, technological, and magical learning were more advanced than what is commonly found in Golarion today. Many earth sorcerers draw their power from Azlanti blood.

The Blackwood Swamp surrounds the Taldan port city of Cassomir on all sides except where the city faces the bay. The swamp is filled with dangerous wildlife ranging from carnivorous plants, groups of violent humanoids, and the much-feared hydra. Most predators stay clear of the hydra. A particularly useful trick can be getting several travelers to mimic the cry of the Hydra at once.

Finding Fola Barun is easy enough...See slide 3 for picture

A thick, low fog shrouds the early morning landscape of the Pathfinder field base atop a low hill in a clearing of the Blackwood Swamp. People busily move between several brightly colored tents.

A dark-skinned half-elf with several silvery tattoos decorating her face smiles widely and steps close to shake hands. “Pathfinders,” she says, “thank you for coming! My name is Fola Barun, and I am the leader of the Envoy’s Alliance. Do I correctly understand you are new to the Pathfinder Society? Please, tell me about yourselves. Where any of you here previously with Rain in Cloudy Day?"

Rain in Cloudy Day appears in Intro p1

"Nah, this is my first time over here. Always glad to meet fellow agents, though!" Doven says, shaking hands. "I just finished the trials a little ways back, got to full agent status. Had a couple quick jobs since, but mostly just reviewing reports, so I'm glad to be out in the field!" With that, he lifts his flask in a friendly salute and takes a swig before offering it around again.

I realized in leveling up that, though he has 21 XP, the Pathfinder Trials is the only game I've played with him. The rest is GM and/or pregen credit.

With that, he lifts his flask in a friendly salute and takes a swig before offering it around again.

Faldur declines the flask. PERHAPS ONE DAY I WILL CREATE … A TASTING … APPARATUS . A TONGUE .

“Please, tell me about yourselves."

Faldur's scratchy voice warbles from the phonograph. A CENTURY I FLOATED IN VOID … NO MOUTH TO SCREAM … NO EARS TO HEAR … NO EYES TO SEE . THEN I WAS SCREAMING WITH A MOUTH THAT WAS NOT MINE … HEARING SCREAMS WITH EARS THAT WERE NOT MINE … SEEING STRANGE COLORS WITH AN EYE THAT WAS NOT MINE . WAS I ME ? THEY SAID SO . THE BRAIN WAS STILL IN-INTACT .

AHH . His shoulders slump. I HAVE BEEN TOLD … PEOPLE DO NOT FEEL HAPPY THINKING ABOUT … THE VOID . OR SCREAMS … I AM STILL … GETTING USED TO MY NEW SELF … BEING AROUND … OTHER … BEINGS .

The lidless eye rotates to Fola. I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE MATERIAL WORLD AGAIN … LOOK THROUGH A TELESCOPE … BUILD INTERESTING THINGS … AND NEVER BE … ALONE .

"Where any of you here previously with Rain in Cloudy Day?"

Faldur remains silent. Nope. He has credit from Kate'S Slithering game so this is Faldur's first PFS assignment really.

"I'm pretty new," Aurika says, smiling at Fola. "I worked hard to get where I am today. My choice was Pathfinders, or working for someone in the Puddles district. I know I chose right. And I know too that you don't let just anyone in, so I'm glad to be here with you all."

At the mention of Rain in Cloudy Day she shakes her head.
Did I miss you guys playing part 1?

A middle-aged woman glowers from the background. She has strips of hide from several different kinds of animals wrapped around her body, and her hair is an enormous tangle, with sticks and leaves caught in it.

"I'm Aella." Pronounced like Ay-la She sighs heavily. "I used to have a nice cabin in the woods, lived there for a couple decades, it was great until the nearest townsfolk ran me out of there saying I was a witch. But I'm not even a witch! Anyway, I met this Doven guy and he said that the Pathfinder Society takes basically anybody, so I'm doing this until I can find a new cabin, somewhere even farther from people."

She seems rather confused by Faldur.

No, some people just played it elsewhere. Aella does not have credit for it.

Scerzaq turns and yelps as he sees Faldur. "Sorry, though you were some sort of monster." He holds a hand to his chest to try and calm his own heartbeat a bit. "Not that anyone ever believes me but I am not from here. In fact where I am from Golarion doesn't even exist anymore. I was sitting at home on Absalom Station, eating some cheese poofs when a bright light hit and next thing I know I am being dragged around with a bunch of Pathfinders outside the Open Road."

"This time sucks, you all have fleas and this crap stuck in my lungs. No clue how to get back so I am making due just scraping together enough coins doing jobs for the Pathfinders, Aspis, whoever just to get enough food and a place to sleep."

I TOO AM NOT FROM THIS TIME . WHAT ARE CHEESE POOFS ?

Faldur, in turn, seems bemused by the out-of-time Scerzaq.

Aurika looks from Faldur to Scerzaq and back again. "You two are tugging on my rope. You have to be."

She then looks at Doven and Aella. "Right?"

After folks have had a chance to introduce themselves Fola Barun continue

“It is good you have come. Members of the Envoy’s Alliance faction seek cooperation as our primary way to further the goals of the Pathfinder Society. This means cooperation within our own ranks, but also with allies and potential allies throughout the world."

She spends a moment looking to make sure you're paying attention before continuing.

“One of our recruits recently established contact with a remote iruxi enclave in the Blackwood Swamp, called the Tskikha enclave. I would like to help grow that relationship. According to rumor, they recently had some sort of trouble. This is where you come in."

She smiles before continuing.

“I want you go to the Tskikha enclave and meet with their leader, Chief Thakik. Tell her that you wish to aid them in whatever way you can. Your primary mission is to build trust and prove that Pathfinders are worthy allies.”

Fola pauses a moment as her face fills with concern.

“If you’re asked to undertake dangers on behalf of the Tskikha, please be careful. While alliances are important, the safety of our agents is worth more to me. Too many Pathfinders have been lost heedlessly charging into danger."

She finishes with

“What questions do you have?”

Aella shrugs at Aurika. "I dunno; I've seen weirder things."

To Fola, she asks "What kind of stuff do you expect they need us to do?"

Fola Barun responds to Aella's question.

“I’ve told you all I know of this specific enclave. While I don't know what specifically they want I can speak more generally about the typical traditions of iruxi in this region of the world. Their faith tends toward animism, and their leaders are frequently shamans who maintain contact with ancient spirits of the tribe. They are slow to anger, but quick to suspicion of outsiders. In that way, they’re similar to the people I grew up with.”

Karianamu Long-Strides-Over-Water is an incredibly tall and thin Garund man with jet-black skin and long knotted black hair. He looks gaunt, as though his skin has been stretched tightly over his bones. He carries a long walking stick and has a sling at his side.

"I am pleased to meet new friends and help the society once again."

As he speaks, it almost appears as if several things the size of a fist are moving around under his armour. He seems unconcerned.

"This will indeed be my first mission, though I have travelled far and seen many things, as my name would indicate. Should we be prepared for any particular dangers in our travels to the village?"

Karianamu seems equally impressed and fascinated by the strange creatures before him, especially the mechanical man, the giant rodent and the tiny woman who is like a child but not a child. The world holds many wonders indeed.

Fola Barun notes "It's only 30 minutes out to the village from here so I wouldn't expect much trouble."

Feel free to finalize any shopping etc before heading out.

Eventually heading out, it's a cool but fairly pleasant day. After about 30 minutes of uneventful travel you make your way past a ring of sharpened stakes to a cluster of low mounds that rise above the rest of the swamp.

Smoke curls from holes in the top of each mound. A few iruxi curiously peer out from behind flaps in the entrances.

Scerzaq nods to Faldur, "See, noone ever believes me." He begins to explain the absolute brilliance and tastiness of a well constructed cheese poof while flicking fresh fleas from his fur.

"30 minutes ain't bad, I should be alright to go from here." Once at the camp Scerzaq looks around at the iruxi staring off at him. He raises a small paw in the air to wave. "Chief Thakik?"

A clawed iruxi hand emerges from a flap and points towards the largest mound.

Faldur produces a metal-bound notebook and begins taking careful notes about Scerzaq's "cheese poofs," theorizing in particular about chemically-enriched cornmeal and cheddar flavors. … AMMINO ACIDS, SULFATE, NIACIN, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID … Though he does not have a mouth per se, inventing delicious snacks from artificial chemical flavors might help him make friends.

Then again it would be dangerous to get his beautiful clockwork gears gummed up with sticky yellow dust.

--

Faldur doesn't notice crushing a log underfoot as he steps into the clearing. He stares back at the Iruxi.

"Well, let's go meet the Chief." Aella heads toward the indicated mound.

"Yup, let's get to it. I have a feeling this will be fairly easy going."

Heading over to the largest mound and pulling forth the flaps reveals an imposing iruxi woman who sits atop a throne crafted from the bones of several swamp animals.

She motions you in and speaks immediately in common, as though expecting you.

“So, you are the ones sent? Let us hope you are as well-spoken and respectful as the one who came before you, the leshy called Rain in Cloudy Day."

She continues

“There is a hill nearby, topped with an ancient structure. It’s of little interest to us, but two days ago, a scout of our enclave, Igix, disappeared near there. We were about to send Kazuuk,” the chief points to another iruxi, “to see what he can learn. But with you here, we can test the quality of the Pathfinders, yes?"

Finishing up she explains

“Accompany Kazuuk to the ruin and learn what happened to our scout. Overcome any trouble you find. Kazuuk will see what you are capable of. Impress him, and you will have my trust.”

Kazuuk steps forward calmly with just a hint of a smile and speaks loosely. "Call nm Kazuuk." He looks towards you expectantly to introduce yourself.

See artwork for Kazuuk on slide 3, also if anybody wants they can include a diplomacy check to make an impression along with their introduction. (DC 16, Not required, and he keeps a different attitude towards each PC)

"Howdy, man. I'm Doven. Sorry to hear your friend is missing; I'm sure we'll be able to find them, no problem."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Karianamu addresses Kazuuk in Iruxi.

"I am Karianamu, and I am known among my people for the lightness with which I set foot on the land. You will find me to be a friend, as I have been to Iruxi in my homeland, who taught me your inspiring language."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

Aurika smiles warmly. With a wave of her hand she says, "And I'm Aurika. I may not have seen the woods as much as Doven, or know your language like Karianamu, but I'm a quick study. It's how you do when you live in Absalom. So I may be a fish out of water right now, but I've got legs: count on me walking right back into the stream."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 Nope, using a Hero Point
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Meeting a real chieftain, on his very first mission! Faldur is so excited he accidentally vents a blast of metallic-smelling steam.

DOCTOR FALDUR … I WILL TRY … TO HELP YOU … KAZUUK.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 12

"I am just here for the coin, but will do whatever I can to help you out." Scerzaq scratches furiously behind his scarred ear.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 13

"I'm Aella. I'll help you find you missing person. Is there a reason you don't have scouts go in pairs? A lot of dangerous things can happen to a person by themself."

No Diplomacy.

These modifies will be relevant shortly (And note only apply to recall knowledge).

Doven: Indifferent
Karianamu: Friendly
Aurika: Friendly
Faldur: Indifferent
Scerzaq: Indifferent
Aella: Indifferent.

Indifferent: Kazuuk scrutinizes what you say. He frequently tilts his head and silently blinks (first one eye, then the other) in response to the your speech. The unnerving stare gives the -1 circumstance penalty on checks to Recall Knowledge while attempting to impress Kazuuk.

Friendly: Kazuuk converses jovially with the you, making it easier for you to showcase their knowledge. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus on checks to Recall Knowledge while attempting to impress Kazuuk.

Kazuuk responds "I don't remember the last time a scout diapered. Our tribe has good scouts, can normally keep themselves out of trouble, must have been something exceptional, like human thieves or crocodile necromancer or the like. Come though, it's several hours to the very old ruins. They are probably where trouble came from, but keep eyes open in the swamp, might be things out there that are dangerous too for those of you not accustomed to the swamp."

It is about a two hour hike to the ruins in question. Despite his bravado Kazuuk seems glad to have help in dealing with whatever troubled their scout.

During the first hour you each have a chance to impress Kazuuk

Good Etiquette, be polite, demonstrate cultural sensitivity etc. Diplomacy, Performance, Society.

Be Knowledgeable: Recall Knowledge using Arcana, Lore (any kind), Nature, Occultism, or Religion. Alternatively use Deception to invent some "knowledge"

Deal with road hazards: Acrobatics, Athletics, Crafting, Medicine, or Survival

As always, appropriate lores are of use, and any especially appropriate lore may benefit from a lower DC.

Go ahead and describe what you're doing, also confirming your exploration tactic for this sort of overland travel would also be appreciated since several of you have options listed..

"You know, I get what it's like to have to do whatever you can to survive. Where I grew up, the streets are full of danger. Eventually, something gets you unless you're lucky. Like me," Aurika says, shrugging. "I petitioned to be a Pathfinder, and they learned that I have a mind for magic. And I have learned a lot. For example..."

Aurika talks about some of the magical concepts she's learned as a fledgling wizard, often framing her descriptions in context to her upbringing on the streets of Absalom's Puddles district.
Arcana: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 1 = 21

General DC for all attempts is 15

Kazuuk smiles at Aurika and listens and laughs "Sometimes outsides think of us as savages who only know animalism. We've got several wizards in our tribe though, maybe you can trade spells later, wizards always seem excited to do that."

… ∑(𝑘)𝑎𝑘𝑏𝑛−𝑘 … (𝑛 ¦ 𝑘) …

A steady stream of mathematics susurrates from Faldur's phonograph as he crunches through the forest. Perhaps he's talking to himself. As he moves, he fiddles with spare parts. He attaches a sharp chain to two rope loops, so that it might be wrapped around logs and pulled back and forth to cut.

Crafting (T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Crafting (T), Hero Point: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

He uses the bladed chain to maintain the path on rest breaks, snaking the chain around overgrown roots and sawing them away with efficiency. … I HAVE … A VISION … ADD A GUIDE BAR FOR TEETH . A CAM … SPUN BY MECHANICAL FORCE . RAPIDLY . He sketches a prototype in his notebook.

Later, he gifts the "chain saw" to Kazuuk, if the scout will have it.

That reminds me, everybody should be starting with at least 2 hero points. 1 from normal and 1 from glyphs.

"Well," Doven says, hoisting a fallen tree off the path with a practiced ease, "I've spent a lotta time in the woods of Andoran, and wouldn't hesitate to go out alone if it was somewhere I, like, knew knew. 'Spose it makes sense for your scout to do the same. I bet bein' a scout round here you get to know this swamp like the back of your hand."

Athletics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

Kazuuk cracks a smile at Faldur, glad to see a clearer trail although somewhat puzzled by the construct's cadence.

He similarly appreciates Doven's efforts to help the party through the swamp.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Scerzaq scouts ahead as he helps clear the road. "What could be dangerus out there in the swamps Kazuuk?" He asks as he drags a large branch out of the path.

Kazuuk seems quite impressed by Scerzaq's moves to get in good position to move the branch.

"Oh, we better go around that plant there. I don't know if it affects iruxi the same, but those of us who are human or human-ish will get a nasty rash. Faldur's probably fine, though."

Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

"There are many dangers in the swamp, no different from the jungles of my homeland. I was often told in my childhood that quicksand would be the death of me, and yet I have not encountered it in my travels."

Survival: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19

I have a campaign coin as well for a 3rd hero point.

Kazuuk isn't particularly impressed by Aella but does make friendly banter with Karianamu as they compare swamp and jungle dangers.

The journey goes faster than expected and you arrive in about 90 minutes at a cracked structure, that is coated with creeping tendrils of moss and lichen.

The air is still here, as if waiting for a breath of wind. Even the usually noisy cries of animals fall silent close to the building. A set of broad stairs lead up into darkness.

A strange rustling echoes from the brush and Kazuuk raises an eyebrow "Probably just Bessie, the local velociraptor, we've got a rapport but she might not be so friendly towards you. I'll keep her away from the area while you check things out."

Before you have a chance to argue he disappears into the brush.

Go ahead and place yourselves on the map on slides p5 around the orange triangle.

Doven takes up position at the front of the group, shield raised and flail in hand. Exploration mode Defend.

Falser stomps up front at well.

"Well, I hope Bessie doesn't have friends with her." Scerzaq leans into the shadows as the group moves to enter the structure.

Aurika keeps up with the others. With their presence so brazen she opts to keep an eye out for magic.
Detect Magic for Exploration

Added the not Witch.

Approaching the ruins you hear a voice coming from inside. It sounds like a goblin, maybe sining.

There might just be the hint of firelight inside, definitely no better than dim inside though.