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Each of you received a missive from Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin, ordering you to meet outside Carrion Hill on a mission of utmost importance...
The strange city of Carrion Hill has long loomed over the surrounding swamps in eastern Ustalav, yet its rulers have shifted many times through the centuries. Often enough that only a few sinister scholars and curious minds know the true nature of the hill’s original inhabitants. Your purpose here is three-fold. First, you are to scout out the place as a possible site for a new lodge; second, the society is curious about one of Carrion Hill's more unique exports, a material known ad middenstone, and wish you to secure a large sample of the stuff for transport back to the Grand Lodge in Absalom; and thirdly, investigate any strange goings on as the Decemvirate has heard tale of mysteries they deem worth further study, if the opportunity arises...
You are instructed to meet with your fellow Pathfinders in a grove not far from the city gate on a set date and time. That date and time is...now...the sun rises as you gather together in the grove...
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A small female gnome appears.
"Aatish is Aatish." she says with a wicked smile to White Rose.
Aatish is a small Gnome woman with grey-pink long hair which could indicated that she suffering from the bleaching.
She has a mithral buckler in her hand and wears a custom-fit Haramaki suit that looks like it has been recently oiled.
Aatish is sitting on a military saddle on top of a riding dog that looks like a red wolfhound. It is clear that this dog can fight while carrying a rider and Aatish is not really fully in control.
On Aatish's shoulder you see a tiny flying fox that has dark red fur.
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A bird who had been perched in a nearby tree flutters down, looks at Aatish and says, "Where's our scaly friend?"
Aatish looks at the bird with a grimaced smile and shrugs.
"Aatish accidentally burnt the flying dinosaur ... and then Aatish ate it. Now the flying fox is here. War will surely kill us all!"
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Elena arrives behind White Rose. Elena is a young Varisian woman with a light tan skin, straight shoulder-length black hair and black eyes. She wears a shiny mithral breastplate with a blue cloak over her shoulders. She carries a magic longsword sword at her side and a few other weapons on her back.
She waves at them with a friendly smile. "I would really like to stay alive to keep fighting if that's an option," she chuckles.
She gives a final check to her bag to make sure she has everything she wanted to bring before starting their new mission...
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A lone figure approaches, his face hidden underneath the cowl of a dark woolen cloak which doesn't do much good to muffle the sound of the midnight black platemail that can be seen just below his neckline as it glints in the morning sun. He pulls back the hood, revealing a familiar haggard face to some.
"It's good to see you again, Elena, White Rose, and... Aatish."
He says quietly in a deep, but nervous, Varisian accent as he nods to each in turn. He turns to those unfamiliar to him.
"Greetings. I am Piotr. Blessed Blade of Milani."
"I received the missive. I thought it best to remain as inconspicuous as possible during my travels here."
He glances over each shoulder, as if being watched from the shadows.
"My kin, which I have not seen in years, live near these parts. In the Shudderwood. I must be careful while in these parts. Speaking of which..."
He reaches behind his back and withdraws a long, black steel musket. He grips the end of the barrel as he places the stock on the toe of his boot. With a gleam in his eye, he flashes a grin as he admires the exotic firearm. He then looks back up at his companions.
"I had a bit of training with this weapon. It's on loan from the alchemists in Alkenstar. I'm to test it out when I can and then give a report on how well it works upon my return. Impressive, wouldn't you say?"
He hoists the musket and squints down the sight as he takes aim at nothing in particular in the distance.
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Having met up with your felllow Pathfinders, you head towards the front gate. As you past the two guards, you notice them looking at you warily; they seem anxious and a bit out of sorts...
As you move through the streets, you notice how densely packed the buildings are and how well worn the streets are...which seems strange to see as the city seems all but deserted. Even the crows, so often seen in towns such of thise atop eaves and gables, have takend wing and circle in the air above calling out in fear. The few people you see keep amongst themselves and give you plenty of room...
Soon after entering, you hear, and then see, town criers and the city’s watch alike give cry, calling for adventurers to report to the town hall as follows:
“Be aware! Carrion Hill needs heroes! Men of stout heart and bravery are asked to come to Crown Manor with all haste, there to receive a task worthy of their skill and talents and a reward of suitable magnificence. Make haste to Crown Manor! Make haste!”
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Elena smiles looking up from her bag at Piotr's arrival. "Piotr! Are you from this area? I'm sure it would be good to have someone familiar with the city... Would you rather be in your other form the start or would that be a problem for you here?"
She's about to close her bag after confirming she had all the scrolls and knicknacks she wanted to bring but suddenly, a small pseudodragon shoots up.
"Lyn!" Elena gasps. "What are you doing in here?? You hid in my backpack to come along? I told you it could be dangerous!"
The little pseudodragon flies to her shoulder and purrs against her cheek making big puppy eyes.
Elena groans, defeated. "Fiiiineee. Just stay on my shoulder and we will see how it goes."
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If Elena passes the check she comments it to the others.
After hearing the town crier, she turns to the others. "Do you think this is related to the strange ocurrences the Society was talking about? Might as well talk to the Lord of the city anyway if we are to look for a place suitable for a lodge."
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Elena smiles looking up from her bag at Piotr's arrival. "Piotr! Are you from this area? I'm sure it would be good to have someone familiar with the city... Would you rather be in your other form at the start or would that be a problem for you here?"
Piotr, dumbfounded, stares at Elena for a moment. He then realizes the young woman has no idea about his past.
"Yes. I was birthed here.""But, it has been some time. And, I lived in the Shudderwood."
He nods in the direction of the great forest at the base of the mountains in the distance.
"I was not true werebeast,"
He mouths the word, barely audible to Elena.
"so, I was shunned by the pack. I was more man than beast and could control my transformation. But the nightmares still persist."
He stops to rub his eyes with his fists for a bit of relief.
"I was marked as a pariah and left for Varisia. I soon got caught up with another pack like myself. The Prince's Wolves. A pack of Sczarni miscreants and swindlers. Basically, a pack of thieves."
He gives an awkward grin.
"That was not the life I wanted. My travels eventually brought me to Galt, where I was enraptured with its serene beauty and pastoral landscapes. However, there was a revolution happening. The downtrodden struggling for social justice were at war with their tyrannical rulers. I heeded the call from Milani to fight against the oppressors and The Everbloom has given me strength. I was finished with being bullied and oppressed by those that were supposedly better than I, so, I joined the fight. 'My body, my choice', right?”
He looks at Elena for a response, then continues.
"The Pathfinders had a lodge in Galt. They too, wanted freedom for all people, so, I joined and never looked back. That is where I met you, yes?"
He smiles warmly at his warrior friend.
"My first official mission was for Lady Gloriana Morilla of the Sovereign Court. I was hailed a hero upon completion, was invited to join the faction, and given a small plot of land and some clout within the faction. 'Baronet Piotr Lupescu'."
He shakes his head with a facetious chuckle at the mention of his own name with a noble title.
His tired eyes then go wide as he turns to Elena.
"I thought, 'How perfect!’. Obviously, I was not born as noble, but, if I could gain the influence of nobility, along with my own plot of land for a start, I could create my own little utopia with other like-minded folks as myself. The chance to be under the will of Milani; Where everyone could live as an individual and be themselves with nobody to say otherwise. A land of peace and tranquility that spreads outward to envelope the land and the people to realize there is no point to be at war with each other."
"To answer your question, Elena... No. The townsfolk would tear me apart if they saw a monster in their midst."
He pulls the hood of his cloak up further to hide his face.
"Come. The townsfolk shall pay no mind. We are of stout heart and bravery. Let us heed this call to Crown Manor."
Piotr grasps Elena's hand and picks up his pace.
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Aatish listens intently when Piotr tells about his past.
She almost interrupted with pleasure when he was talking about revolution in Galt but wasn’t totally convinced that this was real war and bit her tongue.
“You sound like a politician Piotr!! Aatish likes your monster face more… “ Aatish says bluntly.
“Yes Elena, we go to bosses of this town!!“
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"This does sound like an opportunity we should not ignore," the kitsune replies. "Lead the way, Piotr."
She then turns to the newcomer with a curtsy. "A pleasure to meet you. My name is Soni, and it is usually my part to do the talking for our little band. I can't say I always get us out of trouble, but occasionally I can make everyone else's jobs a bit easier.
"There is something I will need to show you, but it can wait until after our meeting."
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The skies are dark and overcast, and rain starts to fall as you near Crown Manor. A feeling of foreboding huts you…shops are closed and even the beggars seem to be hiding.
As you turn and approach Crown Manor, two ‘Crows’ (the name for the town guard), guardsmen dressed in black leather armor and chains wielding bows and longswords, stand guard. When they see you, their somber expressions flicker with hope and they wave for you to enter the manor and follow them, dripping and wet, into the central hall. Upon your arrival, you soon discover why the guards are so thankful—the events that have unfolded so far have sent the vast majority of Carrion Hill’s self-styled “adventurers” into hiding. In the great hall, several members of the Crows stand guard while the mayor, a distracted and worried man named Vanton Heggry, sits in a tall-backed chair; apart from the PCs, there appear to be no other adventurers present.
When Heggry sees you enter, he straightens up and says, “Looks like we’ve got a few backbones still upright in this place,” then gestures for you to be seated, clears his throat, and continues. ”At least, that’s why I assume you have come…is it not?” he says with stress in his voice and hope in his eyes…
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Upon hearing your words, the mayor lets out a relieved sigh…
“I thank you for attending in our hour of need—Carrion Hill has a long history of battle, yet always before its enemies have attacked from outside our walls. We are fortified to defend against such attacks, but now we face an entirely different threat. Our enemy is already here, dwelling in the tunnels and catacombs below and surfacing to strike without warning.
“As you may have heard, the first of these attacks occurred early this very morning, when something huge came up from below in a part of the Tangles called Slipper Market. It partially destroyed a building and killed a half dozen locals before retreating into the ruined structure. The Crows were swift to reply, led by our own Commander Garus, but when they arrived, they were slaughtered to the last.
“Since then, the thing has moved on, surfacing no less than three times in different parts of the city, crushing buildings from below and slaying anyone it finds inside. I’ve got the entire force of the city watch in reserve, and with each new event they respond quickly, but the damage is always done by the time they arrive. Already there is talk of war and invasion, but I still believe that what we face is a single horror. If we can only figure out what it is, we might be able to defeat it. And this is where your group comes in—the horror has moved on from its initial point of entrance, but if you can explore the ruins in Slipper Market, perhaps you can find some sort of clue to tell us what it is we face. I cannot spare any of my Crows to aid you, for they are needed in keeping order in the streets, but if indeed you can find something…anything…about this monster from below, I will pay you handsomely: 1,500 gold for solid information, and twice again that amount for aiding in defeating the horror.”
The mayor looks up at you expectantly…
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"Greeting, Mayor. We were initially sent to look for a suitable place for a new lodge and some other errands but this really looks like an urgent matter..."
Elena crosses her arms thoughtful after his explanation. "Coming from below? I think we can get definitely get a good look at this at the very least. Do the victims show any type of particular wounds?"
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The mayor answers Elena, ”Various wounds and causes of death; constriction, blood drain, severe bites, and crushing, mostly. Do you have any other questions?”
Although you can tell he’s obviously anxious for you to start your investigation as soon as possible, he answers your other questions, to include the most pertinent ones below:
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"Soni, I'm sure what you are good at you excel in greatly, my job is to make sure you all survive' as she strokes along Rubys mane as they make their way to the manor, a set of stillness in her tone as she speaks, her katana resting at her side always seeming like she is ready to sprint off and strike
upon arriving at the manor she leaves ruby outside and listens to the request and tasks, as the others speak
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Piotr asks several questions, which are promptly answered by the Mayor.
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"We thank you for all the detailed information. We shall do our best to rid this town of the terrible beast."
Already on edge and his nerves tattered, Piotr looks around with a confused look.
"Who in the Nine Hells is Soni?”
"Soni, I'm sure what you are good at you excel in greatly, my job is to make sure you all survive' as she strokes along Rubys mane as they make their way to the manor, a set of stillness in her tone as she speaks, her katana resting at her side always seeming like she is ready to sprint off and strike
upon arriving at the manor she leaves ruby outside and listens to the request and tasks, as the others speak
"Well. Whatever. We shall do our best. I'm off to the Slipper Market to see what I can find."
Piotr takes his leave and barely glances back to see if anyone follows.
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[dice="Sense Motive"]1d20+2
"This does sound like an opportunity we should not ignore," the kitsune replies. "Lead the way, Piotr."
She then turns to the newcomer with a curtsy. "A pleasure to meet you. My name is Soni, and it is usually my part to do the talking for our little band. I can't say I always get us out of trouble, but occasionally I can make everyone else's jobs a bit easier.
"There is something I will need to show you, but it can wait until after our meeting."
Zylencia will motion to the fox, and you almost get the feeling as if she has a tone of "seriously?" With the motion
"we should prepare if this is the case, not sure what all would be best but we will msnage"
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"Who in the Nine Hells is Soni?”
The kitsune listens thoughtfully, trying to recall if she has ever met such a creature. Nothing occurs to her.
"Of course, the Pathfinder Society will be pleased to help you with your little problem, and then we can discuss the matter of setting up a Lodge here."
She doesn't think anyone needs convincing of anything, but just in case...
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Rain is falling heavily by the time you leave the mayor. As the two Crows guide you to the Slipper Market, the rain-drenched streets build as the rivers of water run down the central gutters into the roads throughout the city….
When you arrive at the Slipper Market, you find the place in a state of disorder. Normally a bustling market, it is abandoned save for two dozen milling Crows. Your escort leads you through this throng of guards to a side street that has been roped off; one guard lifts a soaking, dripping rope barrier to let you through and indicates that both Tarrig’s home and the partially ruined building where the first attack occurred lie just beyond. Wide-eyed faces watch the market from upper floor windows, but no one speaks—the only sound is the constant onrush of the driving rain.
The guards have set up benches under a barely functioning open tent in the market near the roped-off street entrance. Under the tent lie the remains of three bodies—all the guards have been able to recover from the site so far. Garus is not among the dead. The first two bodies are a pair of homeless thugs who lived in the alley (area A2). The first has been flattened by a single crushing attack to the chest, while the second has had his back broken. The third body is one of the Crows, a man whose body has been twisted twice around at the waist like a knotted rag and whose arms are broken in so many places that they flop like tentacles. His chain shirt and sword are twisted like the rest of his body—whatever did this to the man was huge and incredibly strong.
Tarrig, the owner of the home next to the partially ruined building, is nervously standing there by the tent, waiting to give you his eye-witness account, when you are ready…
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Tarrig nods at Zylencia and begins…
“As every morning, the Slipper Market was awake early. The merchants set up stalls in the two hours before dawn and prepare their wares, and that was when a terrible something came crashing out of Marshan’s house. There were an awful lot of screams, and the entire house shook as if some great invisible hand had taken hold of it and was trying to push it into the ground or crumple it in its fist.
“I ran for the watch, but by the time we’d come back, it was all quiet. Wasn’t more than a few heartbeats after the guards entered Marshan’s home that the shaking and the screaming began again. Some of the guards ran back into the street only to be lifted into the air by something unseen and crushed most horrifically; it left behind only a few bodies, whatever it was. The house has been quiet ever since, but that doesn’t mean that the monster’s gone!”
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Aatish is really wary and almost seems eager to fight.
“Aa … Aatish is not going in first but I have your back in any war … but first show your monster inside!!!!!“ she says to Piotr.
She then looks at the bodies and shakes her head.
”Aatish does not care about honor Zylencia Night Fire but maybe you want to go in first with me? Die with honor? I hope not!“ she says grinning.
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The side of a single-story wooden house has collapsed outward into this ten-foot-wide alley, adding to the clutter and refuse. The roofs provide some shelter from the rain, leaving swaths of blood and gore on walls here and there. The hideous smell wafting out of the ruined building is as unplacable as it is stomachturning. Perhaps the strangest is the huge spiral-shaped smear of blood on the wall opposite the partially collapsed building— sheltered by the rain, this ominous rune rises high on the side of the building, as if something enormous had used a broken and bleeding body as a brush to paint its mark.
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Safe from the eyes of the townsfolk, Piotr finds a dark recess in the room and backs into it.
"I think it's a good time to revert to my bestial form."
Piotr throws his head back, begins convulsing, and goes through the painful act of transforming. Growing a good foot taller and bulkier, which makes his plate armor tighter, thick brownish grey fur covers his body. His face painfully forms into a snarling wolf with glowing red eyes.
"Ahhh. Much better."
He growls in relief.
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As you enter the house through the hole in the wall, you get an eerie foreboding as you stare in revulsion of the horror you see before you; you feel as if your guts are rising through your stomach, fighting to get out…
This living room is in a complete state of disarray. Doors are smashed open and the northern wall has exploded outward. The furniture is in shambles, and rain leaking in from multiple fresh holes in the roof has done little to wash away the thick layer of sticky black slime that seems to coat every surface— slime that exudes a horrific stench something like an open grave, burnt decay, the air before a thunderstorm, wet and diseased fur, and worse. Scattered amid the slime and rubble are body parts—too many to be from one victim and all strangely bloodless...
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"Right, Piotr, thank you for reminding me," Soni says to the wolfman. She then turns to Zylencia. "Now, as for that secret I promised you."
To the faint sound of heroic, upbeat music with no apparent source, Soni's gown seems to unravel into a shower of white rose petals, trailing into the distance leaving only a silhouette, glowing brightly in a rainbow of colors as her muzzle shortens. The rapier at her hip, which seemed a dandy's weapon before, flies into the air above her as ribbons of silvery-blue cloth circle her limbs and torso, wrapping her now-human form in a short dress, gloves and boots. The raven-haired woman she has become reaches her arm to the sky and grasps her blade, which now appears wickedly sharp. In a flash of light, a golden tiara appears on her brow and a silvery shield with a white rose blossom device appears on her other arm. She slashes the blade through the air in front of her, cutting through the rain of petals and revealing her full vigilante identity as the music crescendos, then stops.