Gameplay Thread
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Jinglemane bounds around the Grand Lodge in excitement. "Kit! Kit! We're back at the Grand Lodge today! There'll be so many pathfinders to interview!"
The stuffed lion-centaur poppet is purple and fuzzy with a glorious rainbow-colored mane. He bounds up to the first Pathfinder he sees, and says, "Hello! I'm Jinglemane, and I publish the Mane Event, the Pathfinder Journal filled with tips for Dares, Lairs and Hair Care! Our next issue will be featuring Ambrus Valsin's recipe for hair mousse, but there's room for plenty more tips. What style tips do you have to share?"
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A young Kelish woman with dark hair and bright blue eyes smiles widely as she follows Jinglemane into the room. She wears a light, flowing robe embroidered with a serpent that has a lion’s head.
That’s odd. Her hair is moving as if being blown by a breeze. There is not a strong enough breeze in the room to cause that.
“Jinglemane, be careful that Ambrus doesn’t catch you running around again! I don’t think he has forgiven you for bumping into that clerk and scattering the report they were carrying.”
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The little kobold shied away from the boisterous poppet, while the sprite beside him (rather tall for one, and taller than the kobold himself) just rolled his eyes.
He nodded towards Slip and Qitarah al-Tabib of Sedeq, who seemed less excitable. "I'm Kaz," he says. He motions towards the sprite. "My friend here tells me to call him Zak, but I think he's just making fun of my name."
Zak showed no sign that he'd heard the kobold speaking about him.
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Slipp looks Qitarah al-Tabib fo Sedeq up and down for a moment, blinks twice and smile. "Oh! How wonderful. I don't think I have met anyone quite like you before? Do you hail from the First World too?"
They look around, stepping back from the figure of the kobold. "And a kobold that doesn't bite? Oh... they said I'd see sights in the Society but I had no idea.."
They take time to look around the room and gaze at the other people present. "Oh my!"
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Slipp looks Qitarah al-Tabib fo Sedeq up and down for a moment, blinks twice and smile. "Oh! How wonderful. I don't think I have met anyone quite like you before? Do you hail from the First World too?"
Giving a short laugh, she says “No, Sedeq is a city in Qadira. The society recently opened a lodge there.”
Hesitantly, she asks “You have heard of Qadira, haven’t you?”
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Around the corner a small pirate hat pokes into the room, the shadowed face beneath it looking at Jinglemane "Here kitty kitty..." The hat and its owner, a small fungus leshy built like a stout little Bolete: brown cap with a cream colored stipe shuffle in "Oh, hello! Where did all you come from? Are we going on an adventure?" They ask, looking over everyone in the room and smiling, especially considering most everyone is on the smaller side. It makes it easier to talk and not hurt one's neck.
"I'm Eddie, Eddie 'Bo' Leetus!" They bob and nod their head in greetings to each of you, shuffling ever closer to try petting Jinglemane's magnificent mane. "So shiny... I love shiny." Almost in a preprogrammed way they pull out a random coin and bite it, nod in acceptance, then return it to pocket.
Eddie stands before you, wrapped in stitched together layers of old bark, leather, and leaves. They carry a small array of tools and weapons, primarily a spaulted wooden staff and shield. A bundle of holly, mistletoe, and dried wood ears hangs from their neck on a string. "What sort of adventure is it? Is it a long walk or a terribly salty trip on those boats.. I prefer walking. Maybe its underground? I love underground!"
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Slipp looks around the room, wondering for a moment if the question is directed at them. "Noooo... I'm not really interested in cities much. But if there are more folk like you there, then maybe I should visit. How far?"
As they speak, SLipp's pale skin seems to take on energy and colour. Excitement literally tinges their cheeks.
Of course then the leshy appears, and Slipp can hardly help from gasping. "Hello Eddie, here I have shiny!"/ Slipp produces a coin of their own to give as an offering.
"Are you missing a cat? I like cats too."
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Jinglemane goes around to check in with different characters about their style tips. He asks Slipp, "Can you share your style tips? The spiky haircut you have for your purple hair is lovely! Also, the kobold might not bite, but I do! Um, not with these..." The poppet points to his own soft teeth made of felt, "but with this!" He holds up a club covered in shark teeth. "Isn't it wonderful? I call it Lion's Bite!"
He struts a little with great pride when Slipp announces that she likes cats.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Because Kaz shied away from him, Jinglemane approaches the eidolon Zak. "Those wings are wonderful! I love how shimmery they are! Do you have any style tips for me?"
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
When approached by Eddie, Jinglemane whispers, "I may be a kitty, but it's better not to call me that, because my girl is named 'Kit'!" He points to Qitaarah. "She wished me alive, you know! You can call me Jinglemane, and I'm a fierce lion-centaur! Rawr!"
The fact that Jinglemane is cute, purple, fuzzy, and has soft felt teeth in no way detracts from his self-image of lion ferocity.
"It's nice to meet you, Eddie! I've never been underground before! Is it full of treasure and monsters? Also, do you have any style tips for my readers?" He points to the holly, mistletoe and dried wood ears. "You have a certain natural flair that is worth recording!"
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"My hair?", a pale hand runs through the gnomes hair almost as if they were surprised to find it there.
"It's just... like that in the morning. My mother..." they seem to lose the thread of conversation for a moment. "calls in... unruly. "
The gnome glances around the room, trying to spot a mirror. "It's not normally purple though. That is interesting. Must be because you are all so... unusual."
SLipp peers at the club, flinching back from it. "I met some lions... they were... eating,... Who were they eating?" the gnome asks themselves.
"Ah yes, goblins. It was a long story."
Slipp turns to Eddie "Very hot and bright, you wouldn't have liked the place at all."
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"Hello Eddie, here I have shiny!"/ Slipp produces a coin of their own to give as an offering.
"Are you missing a cat? I like cats too."
Eddie quickly takes the offered coin, bites it, then puts it in their pocket. "Thanks Slipp! I don't have any cats, but it looks like now I have TWO KITTIES!" They laugh, holding their small pirate hat steady with both hands.
"It's nice to meet you, Eddie! I've never been underground before! Is it full of treasure and monsters? Also, do you have any style tips for my readers?" He points to the holly, mistletoe and dried wood ears. "You have a certain natural flair that is worth recording!"
"Hrm, two kitties, this could be confusing. I'll try." They respond with all seriousness, continuing into the interview questions. "Well, sometimes its full of shinies, and some monsters, and its a good place to cool off and have a nap, or a snack." They offer up a handful of leaf mould from a pocket, not the pocket with the coins.
Holding up their bundle "Oh, these help me ask the fungal spirits for help when monsters show up, or someone's hungry or hurt. But THIS!" Pointing to the pirate hat "Was a gift from that very nice pirate lady that lives here at the parties and gives out the spicy water! She was helping some nice lizard people in their wonderful swamp." Their head bobs rapidly with excitement.
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Because Kaz shied away from him, Jinglemane approaches the eidolon Zak. "Those wings are wonderful! I love how shimmery they are! Do you have any style tips for me?"
"They don't work any more," said Zak shortly.
"They work a little..." put in Kaz quietly.
"I'm just so big and heavy now." At less than three feet tall and twig-thin, this was rather obviously not true from the perspective of most humanoids. But then--
"He's at least three times as tall as he used to be. And the square-cube law being what it is, well." Kaz did not know what the square-cube law was, but some of the Pathfinder scholars he'd spoken to about Zak had mentioned it. "But he's so much stronger now! When I first met him, he was trapped in a cage and couldn't break out. The lock was very small, and I broke it open easily to free him. Now he's so much stronger than I am!"
"I am strong now," admitted Zak with a smirk. "But I don't style my hair. I'm made of magic; that's just what it looks like. I think."
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Eddie wraps their arms around Zak and tries to lift them, judging personally how big and heavy they feel. They follow that up with a squeezing of his biceps.
"Yes, you are big and heavy. Very strong." Followed up with a pair of head bobs and nods in agreement with one's self. "Do you like to RUMBLE with the bad guys with your hands or are you more like me.. asking the fungal spirits to zap and roast the baddies?" Blink blink
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The night before, each of you were sent a letter at your lodgings while relaxing between missions at the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Every such summons carries an aura of mystery. Will you be being called to explore distant continents? Race the Aspis to an uncovered ruin? Risk life and limb to rescue agents under siege from the Tyrant's forces? With bated breath, you each crack the letter's seal to see that your presence is requested at the Grand Lodge's lobby the following morning, in order to...
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Chaperone!
Yes, it seems your skill sets are to be put to the ultimate test: escorting and guiding dozens of teens and pre-teens from the Dacilane Academy as they travel to the Woodsedge Lodge for a field trip.
You all know that the Dacilane Academy of Absalom is a recent yet prominent school in Absalom dedicated to two main principles: to provide equitable education to all children, and to create a stable environment for children whose lives are marked by the demands of the Pathfinder Society. Eddie, Kit, Kaz, and Jinglemane recall the manor its based out of was actually bought by the Society decades ago, but only in recent years has the nobleman J Dacilane become the school’s benefactor and begun financing a high-quality education for students to come and learn there. It hasn't been without its hiccups - Kit recalls that Pathfdiner Agents had to investigate an alleged haunting at the school last year, though despite years-long rumors of ghosts at the site it turned out the strange events were caused by a chaotic extraplanar protean - but on the whole the Academy has been providing an invaluable service to both Absalom locals and oft-travelling Pathfinders who's children can receive a solid and stable education.
The following morning as you reach the Grand Lodge you can hear the group before you see them. Pakced into the lodge's lobby are a gaggle of young people talking excitedly to each other, as well as a few working Pathfinder agents occasionally struggling to move through them to get to their work. As you approach, the crowd parts to step out of the way for a man in an Eagle Knight’s uniform. “Pathfinders!" he says with a wide smile. [b]"So good to see you today. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to assist with our little educational venture. Allow me to present the students of Dacilane Academy!”
J Dacilane raises his voice and sweeps his gaze over the students, who all fall silent and give friendly nods or shy half bows.
"Why don’t you introduce yourselves to the students, and tell them a little bit about your adventures in the Society so far?” J glances back to the six/seven of you, while the students stare at you with anticipation.
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Kit quickly steps forward to introduce herself.
“I am Qitarah al-Tabib of Sedeq. Sedeq is the location of one of our newest lodges. Were any of your parents involved with establishing the lodge or are any of you from Qadira?”
She pauses, allowing Jinglemane to jump in with his own introduction.
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“Jinglemane and I have been together for most of my life. We now adventure together as member of the society.”
“One of my recent adventures involved a new site in the Blackwood Swamp of Taldor. We were given various tasks by the faction leaders and carried them out. I liked that Fola asked us to make friends. If ever you get a mission from Eando, do be careful! They can be rather deadly!”
She watches their reactions and judges more of the kids would like to hear about the dangerous mission. She explains how there was an item that needed to be retrieved and the dangers that accompanied the task.
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Slipp watches the crowd of young teens with interest. These were so different from the gnomes they grew up with. So full of energy and life. So excited. The energy seems to infuse the gnome with energy of their own.
"Hello students!" they say.
"I'm Slipp! And while most of you are taller than me... Well, actually I think all of you are taller than me... I have met lions face to face and lived to tell the tale."
They pause.
"Though I do hope there will be no lions on this expedition."
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Jinglemane hangs his head at Slipp's words, and the poppet seems to slump. "No lions? But everything's better with lions!"
Jinglemane smiles at the kids. "I'm Jinglemane, a fierce lion-centaur! Rawr! I'm here to bite anyone who might want to hurt you, and I know all the best stories!"
Jinglemane tells the story of a magical forest in Minkai full of spirits, and his efforts to find a stolen relic. His story is full of exciting atmosphere, a snowball fight with an enchanted snowman, a spirit possession and attacks by sticky pine trees. "And then we found the naughty thief, and convinced him of the error of his ways, and returned the spirit to its home! And that's the kind of missions your parents do, too. They go out, they explore and they set things right!"
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Eddie shuffles into the room filled with young humans, they peak around others for quick views of the youth as their slow acting brain formulates a tried and true plan: make friends!
"Hellllo. I am Eddie 'Bo' Leetus." Thrilled with the start of introductions they continue "I like shinies and traveling and exploring. Do you too? If so, Pathfinders learn to be good at those things. I went far up into the cold lands to the north.. and far down to the hot, wet lands to the south... and under the earth into the cool, nice dark lands. Mmmm those are the best." Eddie pauses to savor the memory.
"Will you travel with us to see new things? I hope so."
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Oh, now this is exciting.
"Hello!" says Kaz cheerfully, "I'm Kaz, and my friend here is Zak. I'm a kobold! Kobolds don't always get along well with other people, but I've met some humans and trees and elves like that, too. The Pathfinder Society made friends with some kobolds a while ago, and a lot of us joined the Society! I, um, wasn't one of them, though. I joined later. Uh... So you want to hear about my exciting adventures, huh? Well! Oh, hm..."
How old are these kids?
Why would I know that?
I can barely tell human children from gnome adults as it is.
They all look the same.
I can tell them apart individually! I just can't, you know, categorize them. D'you think the thing with the slavers is too much?
Just keep the details light, then.
"One time we fought a bunch of mean dwarves who had been kidnapping people from a village, and we saved everybody!"
Maybe too light.
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The students listen to all of your tales with varying degree of attention. Several look on rapt at each of your words - a half-elf a a goblin in particular are scratching notes on their notepads thoroughout the introductions - while others listen with polite interest. At Jinglemane's introduction of themselves as a fearsome lion the poppet thinks he might even notice a mild smirk from an Ustalavan child.
When Kaz concludes his tightly content-edited summary of his exploits, an elderly gnome man in purple-trimmed robes and a hat that screams 'academic' steps forward. See students? You'll all be in excellent hands! Now, go and make sure you're all packed and ready so we can head out to the lodge soon.
As the children mingle amongst themselves and check their backpacks, the gnome reaches into his own robes and begins fiddling with some papers. Yes, yes! Thank you for joining us. My name is Thandmere Krelsun. I am a professor of history for the Academy, and we all appreciate that you are taking the time to help enrich the student's experiences. Now he hands several sheets of parchment over to each of you. Here are the rules for the field trip, and a list for you of the all of the tasks that the students are expected to accomplish today. They have all been told these rules repeatedly so I cannot imagine there should be any trouble, but you never know with youths. He sighs. I have also written down the names of a few of our higher achievers. They could perhaps help you if there is an issue with one of the other students. But please remember that them accomplishing these tasks Professor Krelsun's finger jabs at the paper for emphasis is the point of this trip! If you need to know anything, please ask me now. We hope to leave in a few moments.
“You shouldn’t need any special equipment,” pipes in J to add, “But bring what you normally would on an assignment. It will be interesting for the students to see fully equipped Pathfinders. I hope that you enjoy getting a chance to influence the next generation.” J lowers his voice and leans so the students will not overhear, “Also, do be on your best behavior. They are children and they can get influenced by bad habits as much as they can good ones.”
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Kit immediately asks “Professor Krelsun! Is there a picnic or other planned meal? It is hard to concentrate on an empty stomach, and I bet some of these students can eat a lot of food!”
After getting her answer, Kit goes over and reassures J saying “Jinglemane is excellent with youngsters and teens. He helped raise me!”
She then starts reading through the rules and other notes that the professor gave them.
Pointing to the list of students, Kit says “Jinglemane! Look here! The goblin’s last name is Moneymaker! I wonder if she is related to Yigrig? Maybe a granddaughter? We will have to ask her.”
Reading the rules, she mutters “I wonder if run away counts as a combat technique? Probably should call it tactical retreat if it does.”
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Slipp moves among the students for a few minutes, their hair changing colour in accordance with the emotions of those around her. The energy in the room seems to also cause her hair to stand on end. By the time they finishes a circuit their hair is a spiky rainbow mess, but their eyes shine brighty.
I think I spotted the high achievers... but how many students are we taking in total. I'm sure I was told something about keeping count of everyone when I was assigned kindergarten duty once.."
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Eddie takes the paperwork and does their best reading it over. Their mind isn't great with words or proper order so after a short time the paperwork gets stuffed into the compost pocket. Snack for later.
"Should we take roads or go the more fun ways in the forest? There is much to learn outside the city and roads. Most of this world is not bricks and buildings." Eddie presses their point a bit, hoping to have the chance to instill some of their values of the wilds into these little ones.
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Jinglemane nods at Kit's comment and kneels down to Vim. "I think that Slipp, Kit and I protected some of your cousins down in Katapesh! Are you related to Yigrig? If so, awesome! We'll have adventures today that you can brag to them about!"
After looking over the rules, Jinglemane notes several things:
"No kids in the restricted section? Yeah, that's the first place they'll go..." Jinglemane takes J aside. "Um... What's in the Restricted Section? If it's truly dangerous, should we post a guard?"
Then Jinglemane brightens! "Oh good, you gave us a sanctioned place for rough housing! It's good to give kids a place to be kids!"
Kit immediately asks “Professor Krelsun! Is there a picnic or other planned meal? It is hard to concentrate on an empty stomach, and I bet some of these students can eat a lot of food!”
The professor's eybrows raise, surprised at this first question. I...I believe that the Lodge should be providing lunch. Woodsedge pies I would assume, given that they have agreed to speak with the students about the recipe.
I think I spotted the high achievers... but how many students are we taking in total. I'm sure I was told something about keeping count of everyone when I was assigned kindergarten duty once..
These are quite a bit older than that. the professor assures his fellow gnome. Though, looking towards Jinglemane with a concerned face, they are still youths. It is possible that some may try to 'push their boundaries', which is why you are here to make sure everything it kept in line.
"Luckily when I was speaking to Captain Jirneau she said there shouldn't be anything really risky for the student's safety in the lodge." J pops up. "But there's still mission records and personnel files that non-Pathfinders shouldn't have access to in there - the students don't need to be nosing into your business like that to learn."
"Should we take roads or go the more fun ways in the forest? There is much to learn outside the city and roads. Most of this world is not bricks and buildings." Eddie presses their point a bit, hoping to have the chance to instill some of their values of the wilds into these little ones.
Professor Krelsun stifles a chuckle. Traveling via conventional means all the way to Galt would occupy far too much of the semester. We are going to make use of that marvelous transportation maze your Society has graciously granted us passage through. That way we should be able to accomplish our trip and have all of the students back in their quarters by dinner.
While you speak with professor Krelsun, Eddie and Kaz notice that as the gnome answers your questions fully he appears somewhat anxious and agitated.
Jinglemane nods at Kit's comment and kneels down to Vim. "I think that Slipp, Kit and I protected some of your cousins down in Katapesh! Are you related to Yigrig? If so, awesome! We'll have adventures today that you can brag to them about!"
As the lion approaches the young goblin, the girl looks up in delight when Jinglemane mentions Yigrig. You know uncle Yig? Wow! Yeah, he's doing real well for himself, and has been giving me and a lot of the nieces and nephews chances to go and try things. But he said Pathfinders helped him out a bunch of times. There was the thing with the li- her already large eyes widen even further - Lions! Like you! Was that why they sent you? Or did the Pathfinders turn a lion into something else and you decided to be good and be a Pathfinder too? I keep hearing a bunch of tales about that bridge stroy and everyone seems different so I never get a straight answer. Oh! and there was this other time where a Pahtfinder tried to frame my cousin, but he was a bad Pathfinder and good Pathfinders managed to stop him. weird,ineverseethoseagentsaroundanymoretothankthem. But what you do sounds Amazing and its why I want to learn so much to be one like you! They keep saying I need to wait until I'm older but I know there's something called Field Agents tht can skip some years and look at you how old are you do you even have an age that means there could be exceptions...
Vim is eager to talk to Jinglemane , shaking with excitement.
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Kit joins the conversation with Vim.
“The Pathfinder Society has done a lot of wonderful things. Did you know that they released the Zephyrous Prince Ranginori from imprisonment?” She shows Vim her holy symbol. “It happened when I was young, about ten years ago.”
She discusses some of their other Pathfinder Society accomplishments and some of the ways that her training helped prepare her for field work. She also describes the new lodge in Sedeq.
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Eddie frowns a bit at the magical travel option "Back for dinner? If we must." While the others chat up the students, Eddie pulls the professor away from the kids for their own chat.
"Why do you seem anxious? What could be the problem? You can tell me, I'm a Fun'Gi." They do their best to hold back from laughing at the age old fungus leshy joke, holding out a handful of tasty compost to bond further.
Kit joins the conversation with Vim.
“The Pathfinder Society has done a lot of wonderful things. Did you know that they released the Zephyrous Prince Ranginori from imprisonment?” She shows Vim her holy symbol. “It happened when I was young, about ten years ago.”
You freed a whole prince, thats amazing, just like whats in all those stories. Vim says, sutiably impressed even before to conversation continues and she realizes Ranginori is a bit more than the standard prince she's thinking of.
She discusses some of their other Pathfinder Society accomplishments and some of the ways that her training helped prepare her for field work. She also describes the new lodge in Sedeq.
The goblin is quite excited to hear about Kit's tales and about yet another lodge being opened in the region. Thats so great. Its good to hear Pathifnders are expanding so much in the Golden Road, I mean I know theres four in Katapesh alone - theres the Farseer Tower and the Kotargo Lodge (whihc is funny because I dont think there is a Kintargo lodge) and the Winding Road Lodge and then they got a bit simple and just called one the Katapesh Lodge - but if that still not enough that means youre really growing, and that means youlll need more Pathfinder agents to staff those places too, right? Maybe agents used to deserts?
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"Why do you seem anxious? What could be the problem? You can tell me, I'm a Fun'Gi." They do their best to hold back from laughing at the age old fungus leshy joke, holding out a handful of tasty compost to bond further.
Professor Krelston blinks at the leshy for a moment. Ah yes. A pun. Apologies. My mood has nothing to do with you. I have merely never taken a class out of the academy on a substantial field trip such as this. I am somewhat nervous about any possible complications that could arise in such an unfamiliar environment.
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You freed a whole prince, thats amazing, just like whats in all those stories. Vim says, sutiably impressed even before to conversation continues and she realizes Ranginori is a bit more than the standard prince she's thinking of.Kit joins the conversation with Vim.
“The Pathfinder Society has done a lot of wonderful things. Did you know that they released the Zephyrous Prince Ranginori from imprisonment?” She shows Vim her holy symbol. “It happened when I was young, about ten years ago.”
Not wanting to take credit for something she didn’t do, Qitarah explains that other agents released Ranginori. She learned of it long before she joined the Pathfinder Society. It is one of the things that caused her to want to join them!
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Slipp watches the students with some interest before noticing that Tels has nobody talking with them. Sidling up the gnome notices his interest in gaming.
"Gnomes know lots of games... not that we are here to play games.... I've heard the Road we are travelling can be difficult at times. But you are used to handling a team, so we'll be able to rely on you to help manage the younger kids, right?"
Slipp watches the students with some interest before noticing that Tels has nobody talking with them. Sidling up the gnome notices his interest in gaming."Gnomes know lots of games... not that we are here to play games.... I've heard the Road we are travelling can be difficult at times. But you are used to handling a team, so we'll be able to rely on you to help manage the younger kids, right?"
"Ooh! Did someone say GAMES?" Jinglemane bounds up to Tels. "I love all the games! What games do you play?"
The large redhead looks down at the two small agents coming to talk to him Oh, me? Ruk. Ever heard of it? Teams work together to get the ball through the ring on the opponent's end of the field. It's not quite as popular as Basilisk, but its a pretty good game to get a workout in. The city league we play in has a few restrictions too, for our ages, so it's not quite as bloody as in other towns. You notice as he talks that he is heterochromatic - one eye blue and the other a dull green - and that he occasionally fiddles with a well-detailed carving of a shell hanging from his neck by a cord.
As Slipp mentions the dangers of the Road, Tels smiles. Yeah, I can make sure the younger ones stay on the right path. But I'm sure everything will be fine. You're Pathfinder agents. With you around, nothing major can go too wrong!
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"Oh, a kobold student!" says Kaz enthusiastically as he ties Zak towards Geltra, "I didn't see you there, but I should have realized-- children of Pathfinders. You never needed me to explain what kobold are. Are you looking forward to this trip?"
The kobold looks up in a bit of surprise at Kaz. mmm. oh, sure. yeah: i've seen you're recruiting a lot more kobolds into your group. we sewer dragons were some of the first but its nice to see more of us around. . and the trip should be good i guess. they say it's good to be experiencing new things, but i'm hoping we'll be able to get back right after lunch. there was a book on Kwislingyr i was reading that id like to get back to.
At that moment, a few of the scrolls stuffed into Grelta's bag fall out as a pigeon pokes it head out. The bird stretches its legs and begins fluttering away, flying in towards a tapestry hanging on the far wall.
Ruffles, get back here! Grelta says as she chases off after it. you promised you would behave!
"Oh yes, anything could happen... its going to be so exciting!" Eddie heads off with a skip towards the chirping group of children, a smile on their face.
Eddie approaches a small group of four students. As the leshy nears them, he overhears a tall but thin Ustalvic child saying to a boy and a girl "-the blue one over there, see?". Those two scamper off to the eastern end of the hall, while Alec and the half-elven Hari look at the new arrival.
"Ah, it was Eddie right?" Alec asks. "Or do you prefer Mr. Letus? It's a real treat to be getting so many experienced Pathfinders to show us around today sir. We're extremely thankful for it."
Yes, of course Hari agrees while they take out a new quill and sets it to a parchment. When you were up there you spoke about traveling to multiple distinct climates. As a fungal-based spirit, would you say the humidity to the south was better for your health, or the Darklands? And where south did you go? Was it the Mwangi? The Sodden Lands? I'm guessing not Osirion due to the 'wetness' you mentioned.
As Hari peppers Eddie with questions, and eagerly takes down his responses, you hear a loud *AAAAUUUUUGGGGHHHHH* from across the room. Eddie sees the two children who just left are now covering their ears as a an unholy moan is emitting from a blue-painted vase on display next to them. As other Pathfinder Agents go to deal with it, Alec goes "Oh no! I could have sworn they said that the blue vases were luck relics."
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"Eddie, I am Eddie." They slowly respond, nodding at Alec before their eyes go wide with the barrage of questions. "Slow. Down." They quietly put a finger tip to Hari's mouth to reduce the flood of questions to a manageable flow.
"Too much water turns me into a soggy sponge. Too warm is too many flies.. Darklands are cool, damp, and perfect. We went to the Soggy Lands yes." Eddie tries to catch up to all of the questions.
"Hari go ask what happened." They point to the developing scene across the room. After they leave Eddie whispers to Alec "We Pathfinders are very clever. We see through tricks and lies. Do not hurt your friends, we are a team. Tricks like that can turn someone into mushroom food." They look up at Alec to be sure they get the drift.
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Hari nods and follows the leshy's instruction to go over and talk to the two children by the vase. Left alone with him, Alec looks down at Eddie as the druid whispers. "Of course sir. I understand. Cooperate is one of your tenants. Not a problem."
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Across the lobby Professor Krelson clears his voice and call out All right class. All of you should be set for us to embark. You are going to a Pathfinder Lodge, not the Pit of Gormuz! Please follow me.
The gnome turns and, accompanied by a senior Pathfinder agent, leads the Dacilane class out of the lobby and and around to the Grand Lodge's garden while J waves you off. The Pathfinder agent unlocks a set of iron gates that is sealing off some ornate hedges, and with words of thanks Professor Krelson motions for you to follow and sets out through the shrubbery.
The hedges form a wide path that branches off regularly to the left and right. Strange yet vibrant flowers bloom along the hedges as you walk, while Krelson carefully consults a map as he moves and diligently checks each of the many wooden signposts within the maze you pass. The children *ooh* and *aah* as they walk and take in the experience, though each time one seems about to step down a side path to look at something you see Tels gently steer them back to the main group.
Eventually you make a left turn and a way ahead of you the hedge path seems to end. The children step out of the trimmed heges of the Maze of the Open Road and onto the well-kept lawn of the Woodsedge lodge. Looking up however, you immediately notice something...strange about it. The building looks the same, but the sky is a startling emerald color. There's a flat metallic tang to the air, and you think you can hear the faint tinkling of distant bells on the breeze.
The students don’t seem to have noticed anything odd: they chatter excitedly about their journey through the Maze and speculate on where else it might lead.
Did you see that statue? So life-like?
Are we really all the way in Galt? That took like two minutes!
Where else do you think the Maze can go? I bet it could even go to the bottom of the sea!
Nuh-uh, casue then the water would just rush through and flood the whole place
Well it could be magic, duh!
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Jinglemane is about to herd the wandering children when he notices Tels keeping them from straying. "Good job keeping the group together, Tels! We'll play a game together later, because you're awesome."
After a while, Jinglemane starts to really enjoy the experience. "This is so cool!" Jinglemane bounds through the maze, then looks up at the Emerald Sky. "Um... Professor? Is the sky in Galt normally a green color? And what about those bells? And that metallic scent? I thought that Galt would smell of grapes and stuff, because of all the wine that comes from here."
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Eddie shuffles down the paths with the same eager excitement of the children, stopping to 'smell the flowers' and eat a few random bits of detritus along the way. "Not very natural this place... needs a few storms to spice things up a bit." Almost as if on cue the skies at their destination look unnatural.
"I like green, brown is better, but usually the sky is blue or gray." Eddie smells the air, digs at the earth with their foot, and takes out their spaulted wooden shield just in case. "Keep close at hand."