The Pathfinder Society sent a group of seasoned adventurers to the dwarven town of Davarn in the Five Kings Mountains between Druma and Andoran. The Pathfinders were recruited to represent the Society in a traditional tournament event called the Spring Muddle. Every spring, small teams of adventurers compete to get to the top of a rock set with various obstacles and a collection of treasure including gold and magic items.
After meeting up in Absalom, the group traveled across the Inner Sea and through Andoran to the festival locatoin. They arrived shortly after the spring equinox, a day before the festival began. The population of Davarn was around 2000 souls, most of them dwarves, but with a few humans and gnomes. Of course, many other races traveled to Davarn to trade and to enjoy the festival.
The Pathfinder Society instructed the Pathfinders to contact a local named Lukher Stinnison, a male dwarf and merchant who had agreed to sponsor the adventurers in the Spring Muddle.
"Welcome Pathfinders!" he exclaimed when he was located. "I'm Lukher. I hope you had a pleasant journey. I've arranged some rooms at The Lucky Imp. I'll let you get settled and then we can go over the competition rules and schedule. Torag's blessing on you all for coming."
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Lukher sees a quite weak dwarf approaching that has a feral smile.
Sadaf’s companions already realized that he smells like ... nothing as he is odorless ... maybe Lukher realizes that, too?
Sadaf is unkempt but looks quite healthy! At his side you see a small dinosaur.
”Hey you waiting for us Lukher? Nice of you! Do not worry. We will win with my fellow agents! This was a great idea! Because we are Pathfinders! Sadaf Kargar is my name! It is a pleasure doing business with you! If you have any interest in natural resources or animal products then I am your expert!!!“ Sadaf says.
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Sadaf is a Dwarf from an Osiriani merchant family that always felt the pull of the wilderness and saurian animals.
He is a stoic negotiator but has an empathic approach. He is very perceptive and understands people's motives which are qualities that are very important as a merchant.
He typically walks around in his lamellar horn armor and during battle usually tries not to attack but use spells and his animal companion ‘Danduun’ instead.
Sadaf's family has deep roots in the Exchange faction of the Pathfinder Society.
Thus, the Kargar brothers Almaas, Jangafzaar, Toral and Sadaf are all members of the Pathfinder Society.
Danduun has been Sadaf's companion since he first undertook the sacred rites to bind himself to the saurian animals of the wilderness.
Danduun is a small, brightly colored dinosaur with a playful nature but he does tend to nip people when annoyed.
"Grrrhhhhhhggggg ... "
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A half-orc walks up carrying a Cold iron Greataxe dressed in explores clothes. Under his shirt you see a sliver chain shirt peeking out.
"Sadaf it is good to see you again." he says before turning to the dinosaur.
"And how is Danduun? Did you miss Gru'Gar?" reaching into his pack he tosses the over sized lizard some jerky (don't ask what type of meat, you don't want to know).
"Lukher, I am Gru'Gar. Please to meet you." He says holding out his hand.
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"Business? A dwarf after my own heart." muses the hoarse voice of another half-orc approaching the group. His smile is as bright as the various vials of glowing liquids adorning his black duster. Countless tools, vials, and a small chalkboard all clink quietly as he saunters up.
"It seems that I owe everyone here a proper introduction, even my fellow agents. My name is Mhazruk Kruhl of Rook's Alchemical Goods and a representative of The Exchange...." he says with confidence before becoming distracted as his duster begins to bulge and move...until a small creature appears. It appears to be similar to a hairless gorilla whose ashen skin matches that of Rook. On one paw, there is a glove with vials and needles attached to the fingers.
"And that is Mr. Needles." he sighs.
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Mhazruk is a merchant that got his start as an apprentice bomb maker in the Holds of Urglin before being "saved" by a traveling party of Pathfinders. Now he works hard continuing his business, employing others that need a better life like goblins.
His business since allows him to work diplomatically but he is often ready to provide his allies with buffs carried by his familiar while tossing bombs at his foes. If he runs out, his syringe spear packs a nasty punch as he funnels multiple concoctions into it.
Business first!
He too has a brother in Rokhan, the phoenix sorcerer, that he found to join the Society.
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The gorilla like creature whips out of his master's duster and snatches up the chalkboard.
Nothing Free, Give Snacks, he scribbles quickly in common. Before tugging at a bag of extra chalk on his master's belt. He opens his mouth expectantly.
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Needles has the ability to write in common and uses Poisoner's Glove to provide buffs via infusions. Other than that he tends to stay in the safety of his master's area.
"Sadaf, Grugar, and Masrook!" Lukher says, shaking each adventurer's hand in turn. After a pause to regard the dinosaur and the ... other familiar, he adds, "And friends. I believe your venture captain said there would be a fourth. Anyway, you seem a capable lot.
As for the enmity between dwarf and ... others, well, here in Davarn, we've learned to live and let live. All are welcome, particularly at festival time."
Davarn is a two-level town, with the conversation taking place in the caves just below the surface. The caves are connected to the dwarven tunnels that extend into the Five Kings Mountains and to other dwarven city-states. Davarn grew as a trade nexus between the FIve Kings Mountains to the east and the nearest human kingdoms of Druma and Andoran. The surface city is in a pass between Druma to the east and Andoran to the west. The roads are usually closed by snow during the winter, and so the spring festival celebrates the return of travel and trade through the pass.
The surface town, usually referred to as upside, contains a small number of mostly human dwellings. A cave entrance leads by a broad tunnel into the underground part of the town, referred to as downside, which is a much larger settlement built up around a lake and connects to the tunnels, most still actively mined. Most of the downside dwellers are dwarves with a few gnomes and other races.
The festival is situated in a large open area usually used as a marketplace, now filled with crowds enjoying booths and wagons that provide entertainment, food and (of course) drink, and merchants and craftpersons hawking their wares. Lukher points out the grand temple to Torag to the east and his own business, Stinnison’s Emporium, which lies to the north with the lake on the south.
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"Thank you, Sadaf. Knowledge is often one of the most valuable commodities but hopefully my past business with dwarves keeps me from sparking any animosity." Rook says with genuine gratitude. He smiles again when Lukher confirms it shouldn't be an issue.
"We certainly apologize, Pathfinders come from all over and the roads are full of surprises. I am sure they will join soon." he assures their patron.
He then digs out some pamphlets from his bag to hand over to Stinnison and discuss business while they wait.
"I would be a poor merchant if I didn't take the opportunity to expand my connections with an accomplished man like you. While we wait for the others I would love to discuss opening a trade line between us...and the Exchange. If you would be willing." Rook says, settling easily into the role.
Lukher's eyes light up at the offers to establish connections with the Exchange and the Pathfinders. "Excellent! Excellent!" he says to Mhazruk's and Sadaf's inquiries. "I own Stinnison’s Emporium, the place to go for all manner of goods, both mundane and magical. I'll give ya a toour, an' we can discuss mutually rewardin' enterprises later. As I like ta say, 'If ya cannae gie it at Stinnison's, ya can gie along withoot it!'"
Sadaf, Mhazuk, and Gru'gar spot the fourth Pathfinder wandering the festival grounds, so Lukher escorts them in that direction, while pointing out the attractions.
The festival takes place in a large open area next to the underground lake. A crowd has formed near the shore of the lake and Lukher leads them that way.
"They're startin' the children's Spring Muddle, so this is a good time ta gei a louk at what we affectionately call Spinebreaker Mountain."
The 'mountain' is actually just a rock that juts up above the water line about 40 feet. The granite has been modified to make it into a series of level sections with ramps near the top. However, obstacles have been built into the rock to make the event more challenging.
The children of the village, mostly dwarven, but a few humans and gnomes as well, are given a raft ride to one of two sections of flat rock that rise just above the water. Between these is a gap of about 40 feet. The younger children are given a head start on the section close to climbable rocks, while the rest have to swim the gap to catch up.
To the northeast side, a series of rocks rise and provide a kind of stairway allowing competitors to climb to the next level about 20 feet high. Each pillar of rock has a net draped over it so if a child doesn't land right, ze can grab the net and avoid the fall. Lukher explains these nets will not be there for the adults.
The northeast area is a cliff with a rope net fastened to it to allow the competitors to climb to the top. From there they can walk across a couple of beams that have to be walked along to get to the northwest area. Again, the children's course has nets to catch any who lose their balance, but those will not be there to catch adults. It is a 20 foot drop to the water.
From the northwest level area to the base of a long ramp that leads up to the top, competitors must use a rope swing. Along the ramp is a gauntlet of two lines of combat dummies that rotate and can knock someone down who does not move through them carefully. The last section is an unobstructed ramp to the top, where adults are waiting to give prizes to all who reach the top.
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A very well dressed gnome with bright red hair comes jaunting over to the asesmbled pathfinders.
"Sorry of the delay lads! Got woken up in the middle of the night by a fellow named Dreng told me my post had been delayed and I was going to be late for a little expedition. Took me through some mad mans hedge maze and a pantry full of beans before dropping me off three towns over and wishing me luck! Oh what a clever obsticale course. Seems an excellent centerpeice for a festival, by the by what exactly is a muddle?"
"Welcome ta ya!" Lukher says with a warm smile as Trevor arraives. "I was just givin' ya blokes here a tour o' Spinebreaker Mountain, as we affectionately call the course."
The big rock is currently covered with kids, having fun swimming, climbing, jumping, and in places, pushing and shoving to gain an advantage.
"Let me take this opportunity ta 'xplain the rules. Each obstacle will have a flag. Each team member can score points in two ways: gettin' ta the top is worth ten points a bloke, an' ten points fer each flag captured. The first across the finish line gets another 10 point bonus. Team with the most points wins. Simple i'nit?"
Lukher goes over a few other rules. The competition ends when all members of one team crosses the finish line.
Each member of a team does not need to complete every obstacle. Some have even scaled Spinebreaker Mountain’s slick, steep walls to reach the peak directly, but only competitors tackling an obstacle are allowed to reach that obstacle’s flag.
Anyone falling into the water may climb out and rejoin the race anywhere they are able, though only the southwest and southeast outcroppings are level with the water.
Any use of lethal force immediately disqualifies a competitor. Real weapons may not be carried or used during the race, though wooden practice versions of weapons that deal nonlethal damage are permitted , as are any weapons that deal nonlethal damage. Knocking an opponent unconscious is legal, but it’s considered poor sportsmanship, and unconscious team members do not need to reach the peak to end the competition.
The use of magic is acceptable, so long as that magic aids or enhances competitors’ abilities, rather than circumvents the challenges. A competitor may transform herself into a monkey to better handle some of the obstacles, for example, but could not simply teleport to the peak. Any form of teleportation or flight immediately disqualifies a competitor.
Competitors may steal flags from the opposing team or simply claim them from unconscious competitors
Participants must stay on the mountain or within 15 feet of it if they fall into the reservoir below.
In addition to the six obstacle flags, a bat familiar of one of the event organizers will have a flag which can be claimed by anyone who can manage it. The familiar will have instructions to harry and distract the leading team members.
"Any questions?"
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Rook beckons the others over and opens up his duster, revealing a tome of formulae and mixed bottles.
"I haven't brewed anything up for the day but I can brew up a few things to get me through the obstacles quickly enough but I haven't nailed down my formulae to make them work for you all." he sighs, but thinks of the best way to proceed.
"Aye, Lukher, is Needles here an official part of our team? Can he grab flags?" Rook asks as he knows his familiar is an excellent climber.
"Aye, Lukher, is Needles here an official part of our team? Can he grab flags?" Rook asks as he knows his familiar is an excellent climber.
"Yer familiars an' companions can participate, but they dinnae gie points for reachin' the top. They can grab flags, though, but ya dinnae gie the points unless they gei ta the top, assuming ya also make it up."
"Can anyone cast that levitate spell? or turn a person in to a cloud or something like that?
Normally I run as a scout clearing the path of traps. But is someone else wants to go first, that is fine with me."
"No spells are allowed that give ya the ability to move without havin' ta swim, climb, or otherwise move while touchin' the surface o' the rock. The same goes fer yer pets."
Sadaf looks at his frail body and then at the obstacles again.
“Ehh … can we use magic to hinder the other participants from reaching the top? And does my dinosaur companion count as a team member?!“ he asks with some frustration.
"As long as the spells dinae hurt anyone and or move 'em off the course, ya can use magic ta make it harder fer yer opponents to complete the course. Spells like sleep are legal, but not very sportin'."
After explaining the rules, Lukher escorts the Pathfinders to the Lucky Imp, a comfortable inn near the tunnel leading to the surface. Lukher covers the cost of food and 2 rooms. The food is good and the rooms bordering on luxurious. He dines with the group and then leaves them to spend the evening and next morning as they choose, telling all he will expect them at the competition site an hour before it starts, around noon, the next day.
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A monkey comes running up, huffing and puffing, and clearly filled with much excitement. "Sorry to be late everyone, but you'll never believe what happened! I had a grand vision. A vision of the past! Yes, yes, I know, I probably shouldn't have eaten dinner in the Skyreach Commisary again, not after what happened last time, but I'm sure that had nothing to do with this. It was so real. I could see them, just before me, my ancestors, the great monkeys of old! And they taught me. They had the true spirit of battle, you could see it in their eyes." He looks around at the group, his eyes shining with excitement. "And when I awoke, I could feel some of that spirit in me too..." He looks around at his new comrades and waves his tail enthusiastically. "Vinnie's the name, Vinnie Bandar. Happy to be along - I'll get up to speed on our mission in a jiffy but whatever it is, I'm sure we'll be fine - after all, what could possibly go wrong?"
Gerherd Roderson
Mavin Marbeketz
Targrenon Raedad
Willy White
Order
Erna 22
Trevor 20 (7)
Willy 20 (3)
Targrenon 20 (2)
Gru'Gar 18
Vinnie 8
Sadaf 7 (2)
Gerherd 7 (0)
Mavin 6
Erna
Targrenon
The next morning, the Pathfinders find Lukher waiting for them near the lake. He acts upbeat but shows signs of nervousness. He points out the other contestants, a local group that goes by the named the Davarn Chokers. They have competed many times before and are the well-loved favorites of the sizeable crowd.
As noon approaches, the festival grounds begin to thin out as most attendees line up along the rope barrier surrounding the city reservoir. An angry-looking spur of granite pokes up from the water, carved into a spiraling obstacle course marked with poles, logs, and ropes.
The crowd bursts into cheers as the other team and defending champions, the Davarn Chokers, approach the starting line. Their dwarven leader, Erna Stoneheart, waves to the crowd as they shout her name. Her teammates follow suit, waving and smiling as the chant of “Chokers! Chokers!” rises above the general cheering.
The course is outfitted with climbing nets and towers, balance beams, swinging ropes over the lake, and red flags. A large bat familiar hangs lazily from a perch near the starting line, clutching an additional red silk flag.
A priest of Torag calls for quiet and the crowd politely complies so he can give a brief prayer and invocation. Then the two teams get on two large rafts which are guided over to a small area of rock just above the level of the lake where they depart to get close to the starting line.
The Chokers have five members. Erna, the leader, has a stern face and is a guard captain and ranger. She wears studded leather armor and carries two saps as weapons. Gerhard Roberson is another dwarf, but he appears to be a divine spellcaster, wearing no armor. He has a holy symbol of Torag on his chest and carries only a quarterstaff. The third member of the team is a gnome spell caster named Mavin Marlbeketz. She has a unusually long arms and has a slightly crazed look on her face. She carries only a quarterstaff for a weapon and has what at first appear to be shrunken heads on line attached to her belt, but a closer look reveals them to be doll's heads. The fourth member of the team is a human named Targrenon Raedad. He's a bit hard to read as to his specialization. He wears leather armor, has a sap, but also a holy symbol and a pouch of spell components. He's a tall man with a bright smile and rugged good looks. The last member of the Chokers' is a halfling named Willy White. He too is good looking and charming, as well as graceful.
The Chokers and Pathfinders are introduced to the crowd, which applauds politely for the latter but cheer wildly for the hometown crew. Everyone is given time to cast any initial spells on themselves or their teammates.
As the winners of the last Spring Muddle, the Davarn Chokers get to pick their starting places first. The line up next to the rock. It is against the rules to attempt to interfere with opponents before they cross the staring line.
During the preliminary time for casting spells and activating magic items, Erna drinks three potions or elixirs. Targrenon has several scroll tubes. He casts two spells on himself from scrolls. Gerhard drinks a potion and casts a spell on Erna and another on Targrenon. Mavin keeps busy casting three spells on herself, reads two spells from scrolls, one on herself and one on Tergrenon, and drinks a potion. One of the spells she casts on herself polymorphs herself into a taller humanoid, slender and shapely, with pale skin, dark hair, and bright purple eyes. Each side of her neck had three gill slits. Her hands and feet had webbing, like an aquatic creature. She still has unusually long arms.
Initiative Order:
Willy
Erna
Targrenon
Trevor
Gru'Gar
Sadaf
Vinnie
Mavin
Gerherd
Erna:
Targrenon:
Sadaf casts all spells on himself and the group.
After all the competitors have cast their spells, downed their potions, elixirs, and mutagens, and after a band of martial pipers play a patriotic song that all the dwarves sing along to, a mage uses a spell to cause a large bang to sound, signaling the start of the competition.
Willy, Erna, and Targrenon get away from the starting line first.
Willy makes a pretty good jump, but then belly flops in the water and spends a few seconds treading water.
Erna jumps farther than Willy, about 25 feet, and enters the water smoothly, beginning to swim with strong sure strokes.
Targrenon runs, jumps, and swims very gracefully and fast, going underwater and grabbing the first flag.
Next:
Trevor (Jump, feather step, spider climb, touch of the sea, air bubble)
Gru'Gar (Jump, feather step, spider climb, e: tumbling, e: swimming)
Rook (Jump, feather step, Spider Climb, Mutagen, Monkey Fish, Reduce Person , Shield, Expeditious retreat)
Needles
Vinnie (Jump, feather step, spider climb, touch of the sea, air bubble)
Sadaf (Jump, Feather step, Spider climb, Cat's Grace, Bull's Strength, Longstrider)
Gerherd
Mavin (spider climb, Cat's Grace)
Trevor jumps and swims and is the first to reach the other side, ten feet ahead of Erna.
Vinnie begins casting a complicated spell
Otherwise, he should make a jump check (horizontal) to see how far he gets over the water before having to swim. Note that jumping with a base speed of 20 diminishes your Jump gives a -3 penalty on the skill check. Any distance beyond his speed is subtracted from how far he can go with his swim check, assuming he can make the DC 12 needed to move. He can move five feet per move action.
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"Aha! Go for flag under the swing!" Rook tells Needles as he dashes and leaps upwards on the nearby cliff face.
As Rook lands on the ledge above thanks to the magic coursing through his body, he looks to the dummies to his right with his eyes on a flag.
He almost gets whacked by the dummies as he makes for the flag but fate lets him slide by.
The crowd oohs and aahs at Rook's impressive combination of skill and magic to get up to the area with the combat dummies. Rook eyes the flag but the ropes he would need to swing close to them are looped over small posts on the far side.
Sadaf skirts the water by spider climbing along the wall, reaching the other side just ahead of Trevor.
Movement: 15 feet to cliff base.
Vertical jump distance = 10 feet. end first move action.
Climb: 20 feet
So he is 20 feet up the cliff wall.
Mavin:
Gru'Gar dashes to the cliff base and jumps high to a point ten feet above the ground, where his hands and feet stick to the wall. From there he scurries up to the top of the cliff.
Gerhard waits for the others to go by and steps out of view of any moving through the water or up on the higher level.
Mavin is apparently enhanced with magic that increases her movement, as she leaps more than halfway across the water course and begins jumping from column to column.
The bat with the 7th flag takes off after Mavin and flies around her as she navigates the stump section.