|
In the distant land of Tian Xia, the Pathfinder Society's Lantern Lodge sends a team of agents high into the mountains of the Wall of Heaven to an abandoned Iroran monastery in search of a powerful relic to assist them in ensure victory in the upcoming Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Though the monastery has long laid unused by the faithful of the Master of Masters, it is not completely devoid of danger, and the PCs soon discover that merely retrieving the ancient artifact is but the beginning of a much larger quest.
|
|
--Adventure Background--
In the distant land of Tian Xia, the Pathfinder Society's Lantern Lodge sends a team of agents high into the mountains of the Wall of Heaven to an abandoned Iroran monastery in search of a powerful relic to assist them in ensure victory in the upcoming Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Though the monastery has long laid unused by the faithful of the Master of Masters, it is not completely devoid of danger, and the PCs soon discover that merely retrieving the ancient artifact is but the beginning of a much larger quest.
|
Sakura is sitting on a proud white horse with barding that walks with strong but slow steps and clearly is combat trained.
A spiny brown Hedgehog is sitting on her shoulder. When the hedgehog sees you it obviously feels threatened, and rolls up into a spiny ball as a defense mechanism.
"Greetings to you all. I am Sakura." says the young woman with a neutral facial expression void of emotion.
Sakura’s whole form has metallic hues. Her silver and golden skin flickers and periodically coruscates with sparkling crystalline dust that has an exotic appeal. Her silver eyes lack any pupils and her hair shines with golden colors.
Her body looks strong but not quite agile. She does not have a natural presence and comes across as cold and distant sometimes.
Her full plate armor and shield as well as the great sword that is attached to her wrist with a very fine chain show that she is a warrior.
Facing you all she bows.
“I am ready to join you Pathfinders.“ she says.
|
|
"We will go no further." Your guide insists as you prepare to depart your base camp to the mountain route leading to the monastery where your objective lies.
"Yes, the are wild beasts that stalk the mountain, it gets really cold at night and who knows what else." The other says while nodding at his companion's words.
You think back at how you find yourselves here.
~~~Flashback Start~~~
After a well deserved rest you once again find yourselves in front of Amara Li's desk at the Lantern Lodge in Goka. She stands and bows in greeting.
"Greetings. The Pathfinder Society has turned its attention to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament—a world-renowned fighting competition, held once every ten years in the city of Goka on the eastern continent of Tian Xia. More specifically, the Decemvirate is interested in the incredible prizes available to the tournament’s winner—a choice of treasure from the legendary vaults of Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix herself. As part of the preparations for the tournament, Pathfinder Society agents have been deployed across the Inner Sea and beyond to seek out forgotten lore, allies, and magical items to be used by the Society’s tournament representatives." She says as she moves from behind her desk to a nearby map of Tian Xia.
"I have uncovered information regarding one such item, the Braid of a Hundred Masters. It is an Irorian relic located in the Clouded Path Monastery. Unfortunately the exact location of the monastery is unknown though we have narrowed it down to somewhere in the Wall of Heaven." she gestures to the area of the map showing the Wall of Heaven mountain range.
~~~Flashback End~~~
The two-week-long journey to the mountains began in the cosmopolitan city of Goka, passed through the surrounding villages and farmlands, and led thousands of feet up into the tallest mountain range on Golarion; all that remains is the final day’s journey up from the base camp.
((You can roll Knowledge(Geography), Diplomacy or Knowledge(Local) if you want more information before departing.))
|
|
A young Tian-Min woman returns Amara Li's bow, careful to dip slightly lower at the waist than the Venture Captain herself had done. Looking at the Tian-Min, she brings to mind nothing so much as the beauty of an ice sculpture. She is possessed of icy blue eyes and an equally icy demeanor, looking upon her surroundings with cold indifference through the bangs of a chin-length platinum bob. The woman is slender, with the lithe and toned body of a martial artist or swordswoman, and the calloused hands to match. She has a distinctive beauty mark to the right of her chin.
Attired in the light lamellar armor of a samurai over a short red yukata and the geta sandals of Minkai, the woman has a paired daisho at her right hip. Turning her gaze to Sakura, she says, "You are new to me, Sakura-san. I am Tamahi Kiyoko."
The Tian-Min samurai glances at the two guides. After a moment, she gives a respectful nod of her head to them and says, "I thank you for your assistance. Before you depart, what sorts of wild beasts are known to be in the mountains here?"
|
|
Tengu man wearing tricorne hat and a scale mail beneath a tidy coat. He seems to be bit baffled as he sees Sakura.
"Excuse me, I don't want to be rude, but I've never seen someone like you before. Someone with beautiful metallic hue. May I respectfully inquire whether you have lived your childhood in an another plane?" he wonders
----
"Greetings Amara, can you tell us more about this item? And do we have any kind of time limit in this quest?"
|
|
Elemenar tries hard not to roll his eyes during Amara's briefing. So much time and effort just to possibly obtain a relic that might help them win a contest. But then he laughs to himself. That's not too far off from what he's doing. The end justifies the means. If going on another wild goose chase will bring him a little more gold that he can spend in his own pursuits of the arcane, then why not. And, well, he has to admit, his companions on the last trip weren't terrible to be around. He pays attention to the final details to find their location and who to talk to.
After two weeks of trudging through trackless forest and nearly constant castings of prestidigitation, Elemenar is a little relieved to see that they are near their destination.
|
|
Attired in the light lamellar armor of a samurai over a short red yukata and the geta sandals of Minkai, the woman has a paired daisho at her right hip. Turning her gaze to Sakura, she says, "You are new to me, Sakura-san. I am Tamahi Kiyoko."
Tengu man wearing tricorne hat and a scale mail beneath a tidy coat. He seems to be bit baffled as he sees Sakura.
"Excuse me, I don't want to be rude, but I've never seen someone like you before. Someone with beautiful metallic hue. May I respectfully inquire whether you have lived your childhood in an another plane?" he wonders.
Sakura bows to Kiyoko and To-to.
"Kiyoko-San, To-to-obika-san, I was raised on Axis by my Tien mother and lesser Axiomites. Some Axiomites say my mother got pregnant after an Immaculate Conception through the forces of the plane of Law and my mother argues that she was impregnated by a Tiefling adventurer! I let you decide which theory is more favourable." she says matter-of-factly.
"My species is called Aphorite. You both seem to be from Tian Xia, correct? I know about the traditions of Tian Xia but was never really immersed in the culture. You also are a Samurai Kiyoko-San and To-to-obika-san, correct? I was introduced by mother to the 'Order of the Tome' and seek to protect written knowledge! I am a linguist and have used written and oral exercise to learn a dozen languages."
Sakura's white steed - that has a strange horn on its forehead - moves slightly and seems to be more joyful than its owner.
|
|
The Clouded Path Monastery is a truly old monastery, dedicated to the Iroran faith, and one of many such lamaseries spread throughout the isolated slopes of the Wall of Heaven. Some maintain that the monastery’s founder in fact knew Irori during the god’s mortal life.
The “demon” is not a demon at all, but rather a raving yeti that has established its territory well below the icy altitudes in which its kind normally hunt. With increasing regularity, the beast has attacked travelers in the low mountains and even settlements high in the foothills of Clouded Path Monastery’s peak.
Two week trip from Goka to the basecamp was uneventful and with the help of the two guides hired by the Lantern Lodge, Xue Ho and Hai Xuan, the expedition reaches the destination without incident.
The base camp site, only a few hundred feet above the forest line that covers the lower reaches of the Wall of Heaven, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding farmlands, far below. The half-flooded terraced farmlands appear silver and mirrored in the late afternoon light. The camp itself is little more than a trio of unmaintained wooden shacks surrounding the remnants of a large firepit and a fallen wooden corral
fence to the east.
|
|
Tengu man wearing tricorne hat and a scale mail beneath a tidy coat. He seems to be bit baffled as he sees Sakura.
"Excuse me, I don't want to be rude, but I've never seen someone like you before. Someone with beautiful metallic hue. May I respectfully inquire whether you have lived your childhood in an another plane?" he wonders.
Sakura bows to Kiyoko and To-to.
"Kiyoko-San, To-to-obika-san, I was raised on Axis by my Tien mother and lesser Axiomites. Some Axiomites say my mother got pregnant after an Immaculate Conception through the forces of the plane of Law and my mother argues that she was impregnated by a Tiefling adventurer! I let you decide which theory is more favourable." she says matter-of-factly.
"My species is called Aphorite. You both seem to be from Tian Xia, correct? I know about the traditions of Tian Xia but was never really immersed in the culture. You also are a Samurai Kiyoko-San and To-to-obika-san, correct? I was introduced by mother to the 'Order of the Tome' and seek to protect written knowledge! I am a linguist and have used written and oral exercise to learn a dozen languages."
"Actually I'm from the Shackles. Its a pirate haven. To-to-obika is my name"
|
|
Kiyoko, for her part, raises an eyebrow at Sakura’s heritage claims. In turn, she nods to the metallic-hued woman’s question. “Minkai,” she states simply.
The Tian-Min takes one last look at the farmlands below, then looks up toward the slopes ahead. “Should we wait until morning before we start the trek? The daylight is nearly spent.”
|
|
Looking through your belongings as you stopped you find missives that you did not pack but bear the seal of your faction leader.
Her Majestrix’s Most Loyal Servant,
I do not envy the hardships you are due to experience as you toil your way across the Wall of Heaven. Do not fear though, my dearest, as should you complete a small favor for me during your travels, I shall personally see to it that every one of your aches receives the proper attention and treatment it deserves upon your return.
We have identified several Tian nobles that, should we win them over, will further our plans within Goka. The nobles of Tian Xia, however, are notoriously difficult to approach if one does not conform to local customs. In particular, these nobles have an unnatural love of tea and it is my belief that you will be traveling to an area that is home to a very specific variety. If you could retrieve a selection of cuttings and leaves from any of the tea plants of the Clouded Path Monastery, I would be ever so grateful.
Indulgently yours,
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
Agent of the Empire,
The Empire once again requires your services. Many of our competitors hope to use the upcoming Ruby Phoenix Tournament and the events surrounding it to strengthen political and economic ties between themselves and the Free City of Goka. Naturally, Taldor could also stand to benefit from a strengthened alliance with Goka. A fellow agent will leave an item of particular value to the Empire somewhere along the route that Venture-Captain Amara Li will have you follow. You need to remain observant along the entire journey to ensure that you do not miss the clues pointing to the item’s location. Return this item to me and both the Empire and I shall be indebted to you.
Sincerely,
Lady Gloriana Morilla
|
|
The lands around look unfamiliar to Elemenar but it matters little to him. He judges the height of the sun in the sky the looks back up the mountain to where the monastery lies.
"We would not make it by dark. It is best if we stay here for the night."
The decision being made, he finds a suitable spot near where the guides are setting things up and lays out his own bedroll.
|
|
Elemenar finds a comfortable spot on the ground and sets up his own bedroll. He's mostly oblivious to what the guides are doing until Kiyoko asks her question then he listens for a few moments.
"Certainly doesn't sound like one of the classical tunes from this region. Probably just something he picked up from a local bar."
|
|
Elemenar attempts to get the snow leopard enjoying some fresh tengu but the cleric's panicked movements makes the wizard miss his shot.
Kiyoko is more successful and the samurai gives Green a big gash. Together with To-to-obika's wild movements the cleric is able to dislodge the leopard.
Seeing the damage done to its companion Pink bursts out from the shrub and pounces on Kiyoko.
It's fury gives Pink tunnel vision and it misses the samurai.
ROUND 1 BOLD MAY GO
Elemenar
Kiyoko
To-to-obika
Pink
Sakura
Green
The white steed moves forward and tries to trample the leopard that Sakura attacked!
The white steed also steps forward and tries to trample and bite the leopard that Sakura attacked!
|
|
Kiyoko's search of the camp reveals that the campsite has a lot of activity in recent years. The local farmers seem to have had no reason to maintain the campsite, since they no longer have any dealings with the monks.
To calm his nerves down Xue Ho starts whistling the previous tune as he checks and cleans several climbing pitons. "Xue Ho heard the song from another adventurer that hired him not long ago and now he won't stop whistling it." Hai Xuan says in reply to your previous question.
You recognize the song the tune is from. It's a classic Taldan song about a climber and his reliable climbing piton in search of treasure.
Pointing at the leopards he says, "This proves going further is not for us. We'll stay here at the camp and wait for your return. Although we've never managed to get to the monastery ourselves we have made a pilgrimage to the Two Brothers, once, many years ago."
|
|
"We do not travel too far from home. Going up the mountain is enough adventure for us." Hai Xuan replies as he points up the mountain. "Come, join us by the fire and we shall tell you of what we know of the path."
"Follow the path from here until you arrive at the valley. When you reach the dead end you'll need to climb up to continue through the mountain." the guides as he pokes the fire.
"That was quite a climb. Almost slipped a few times." Xue Ho joins the conversation as he has finally calmed down. "After the climb keep following the path until you see get to the Path of Many Shrines. you'll know what it is when you see it."
The smell of sizzling bacon fills the air as the guide starts cooking for dinner. Just what you need after a tiring day of travel. "Follow the path until you get to the crevasse. There's a chain bridge you can use to get across the crevasse." Xue Ho continues as Hai Xuan put the kettle to boil.
"Once you cross the crevasse keep going until you see the two brothers. Then there's no way to go but up to reach the monastery. Hopefully you get there before dark. It gets pretty cold at night so best not to travel at night. There's a cave near the two brothers where you can make camp if it is already too late or you need to rest."
"Hai Xuan, you have the maps right?" Xue Ho asks as he turns to Hai Xuan. "Yeah, yeah. I have the maps. I'll give it to them tomorrow morning. I'd rather not go looking through my things right now."