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1) I am based in Southeast Asia (UTC +8) so my posting hours may be unusual (especially for those in North America). I usually update at least one or twice per day. Just to keep the game moving, please post at least once every day and at least once during the weekend. If you disappear for more than 24 hours, especially during combat, I will simply place your character on infinite delay just to keep things moving.
2) Please label all three of your actions. Even if you think what you are doing is obvious.
3) If I am unavailable for longer than 24 hours, I will let you know in the Discussion Tab. Out of respect for your fellow players and myself, I ask that you do the same. Real life happens, and real life will always take priority over the game, but out of fairness for your fellow players, please let us know if you will be unavailable for an extended period of time.
4) Please complete the Macros and the Slides linked at the top of the page.
5) Questions, concerns? Feel free to share them in the Discussion tab.
6) Let's have some fun and tell a great story together! After all, that's what we are here for.
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You each arrive at the Pathfinder field base in the Blackwood Swamp, having received a letter from Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin.
Pathfinders,
The recent discovery of ancient Azlanti ruins beneath the Blackwood Swamp, outside the port city of Cassomir in Taldor, has caught the Society’s attention. Leaders of the Society’s internal factions have already sent word that they need help with a variety of missions. Since you’re all newer members to the Pathfinder Society, it makes sense for you to go and gain some much-needed field experience. You can also learn more about the factions and their primary interests. I suggest you begin by speaking with Fola Barun, leader of the Envoy’s Alliance. She has been working to find local allies and this seems like a wise first step. Otherwise, use your own judgement, of course, and seek out the faction leaders in any order you wish.
I know there is much to remember as new Pathfinder Society agents, so here is a reminder: Gorm Greathammer is the leader of the Grand Archive, a faction dedicated to finding and preserving knowledge. Calisro Benarry leads the Horizon Hunters in their efforts to explore new places. Eando Kline is the leader of the Vigilant Seal and is deeply dedicated to finding and containing dangerous items and artifacts. I am sure each of them will have something important for you to undertake.
Explore, Report, Cooperate!
—Ambrus Valsin
Venture-Captain of the Grand Lodge
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A small kobold 'reads' his crumpled up and half torn note that has only been in his possession for a short time. Huffing at not knowing the words and growing frustrated he has asked several other passerbys to read the note for him to know where he needs to be.
Most ignore him, though his regal burlap sack barely covering his scale mail armor and crown made out of twined together drake bones seems to win them over. Making it to the camp he drops his chipped battle axe and piece of scrap metal as he waits for the others.
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"Blub."
A strange bipedeal creature that looks closer to a series of burlap sacks filled with jello that a person listens closely to their companions.
Various adventuring gear hangs in bags and such hangs from straps around their body and a wayfinder is prominently around what is most likely their neck.
A voice bubbles out "Blub. Just to get things out of the way, this is all Thurl's fault, no I don't expect it to get any better. My real name has been lost but you can call me Squish, nice to have some levity, Valais says I need to laugh more anyway.
"Blub."
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King Vaagz looks at Squish covered in the same regal attire. "Seems we have a Court of Kings among us." The kobold gives a nod of approval, though his knows that dragonkin are among the top. "My name is King Klearsaard Vaagz. I am king of the Shrieking Scream-wing Tribe, though we are but one. Soon many will follow." He stands proud as his red eyes glint in the morning sun.
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Azlanti was an ancient empire known for its magical achievements. It for thousands of years in the now-lost continent of Azlant in the Arcadian Ocean. Scholars believe their social, technological, and magical learning were more advanced than what is commonly found in Golarion today.
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.
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You meet with Fola Barun of the Envoy’s Alliance,who wants to establish better ties with the Tskikha iruxi enclave. Fola wants to expand the relationship Rain in Cloudy Day started, perhaps even recruiting some of the iruxi into the Society as future agents.
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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
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Fola pauses a moment and 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."
"What questions do you have?"
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Fola laughs and says, "Worry not my hungry friend. Gorm Greathammer, the leader of the Grand Archive is a good cook! You'll like his cooking. But that's for after your tasks are over. As you finish your tasks, you will have some room in the Pathfinder barracks."
The Iruxi encampment is about thirty minutes away from the Pathfinder camp.
Past a ring of sharpened stakes stands 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. You are able to get directions from one of the villagers to Chief Thakik's abode, which happens to be the largest mound in the camp.
An imposing iruxi woman sits atop a throne crafted from the bones of several swamp animals. "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."
"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?
"[b]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."
At the sight of Squish, Kazuuk's demeanor changes. He is happy to have some help with the trouble on the hill, although he doesn’t seem overly concerned about it. He is outgoing and carefree, bordering on careless.
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Kazuuk frequently tilts his head and silently blinks (first one eye, then the other). This unnerving stare gives you a -1 penalty to RK checks[/ooc]
In either case, Kazuuk is unimpressed by your group. He desires some "entertainment" en route to the ruin. As the journey will take two hours, you may either:
Impress with Etiquette: You speak politely to Kazuuk, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skill. (Diplomacy/Performance/Society)
Impress with Knowledge: You explain some obscure or useful bit of information he doesn’t know or is surprised that you know. (Arcana/Lore/Nature/Occultism/Religion) or Deception to "make something up"
Impress with Skill: You demonstrate an impressive ability or technique that Kazuuk finds useful. (Acrobatics/Athletics/Crafting/Medicine/Survival)
Please describe what you're doing (instead of simply rolling dice).
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Squish Blubs and explains the powers of the mind to Krozuk while jiggling their arms.
"You see, blub, even without the digits needed to perform sensitive somatic components I can focus my mind and even do things I otherwise couldn't"
Squish demonstrates by picking up an interesting looking stick with mage hand
Squish follows up "Blub. I read Rain on Cloudy day's report, blub. They wrote about how you drew guidance from the stars. I used to watch the Seawraith sail the night sky and spent time reading and researching. The blub, ship, may be a gateway to the Maelstrom, plane of Chaos, blub. Maybe someday I'll be able to travel there myself, blub. You should think about where you might like to go if you could go anywhere."
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Jong talks to Kazuuk about the practical aspects of the Pathfinder Society.
Kazuuk, exposure to Pathfinders from across the world has allowed me access to all manner of tools and ideas for things to create, merging ideas from different culturs into new devices.
She will also tell stories of the wonders of Absalom itself.
It is such a huge city. You have never seen any place with so many people, living together relatively peacefully. Of course there are still conflicts, but overall things are handled without violence.
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King Vaags pulls his crown from his head. "This is from teeth of many mighty drakes." He sets the crown down on the ground and takes a couple of steps back. Puffing his chest out proudly he breaths a small trickle of flames over the crown. He shows how the teeth don't burn.
He speaks in reverance of the numerous drakes and dragons he has met in his lifetime, describing their colors, stash, demeanors, and even their height.