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Ah, Andoran. It's been a long time since I visited here. Too long, frankly.
The middle aged man combs his orange afro and looks out to the continent as it grows among the horizon. He was frozen in stone several decades years ago and missed much in his paralysis: the rise of the Whispering Tyrant, the fall of Misery Row, alchemists striving out as their own separate class. He's glad to rejoin the path of Shelyn and the Pathfinder Society as a whole.
But he missed two very special people in his life, and one of them is right behind him, ruffling through his hair.
"Honey, please. Not in front of the others. At least, not before an introduction." He fights off a blush and extends a hand to shake. "I'm Jiggo Maeleranti. Pleased to meet you. This is my partner in paradise, Salera." He points behind him, earning another run through his hair.
Salera smiles a simple smile, and keeps messing with Jiggo's hair. It's so fluffy. "I'm Salera. Pleased to meet all of you." She makes a polite bow before focusing on Jiggo again. "I travel with him. Don't worry, he's nice." Her claws cut some of his hairs as she finally puts them away.
Salera has gray skin and curly gray hair surrounds her short silver horns. Her wings are a mix of bat skin and bird feathers, with the feathers gradually winning. You notice both carry two symbols. One symbol is the same: a simple curve in the shape of a smile around her wrist and on Jiggo's necklace. While Jiggo carries the symbol of Shelyn, Salera carries the symbol of Nocticula as an anklet.
"Who else is here, anyway?"
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A tall, older woman stands at the bow, hands folded behind her back with immaculate posture. She grimaces, says to herself "Goodness me, it seems the Society is still want for manners and civilized company after all these years."
She turns to the others. The high pitch of her voice like nails on a chalkboard to most, "My name is Hadega Scrimsworth. My feckless layabout of a husband up and died recently leaving me with his considerable and previously unknown gambling debt, to which I had to sell our leatherworking business to cover. Now I've joined the society to bring decency and civility and most important of all MANNERS to the blighted corners of this world. As society agents, that is my expectation for all of you as well."
And to Jiggo and Salera she tips her bifocals down to rest on the bridge of her nose. "Good girl keep that back straight. No matter what extraplanar projection or manifestation you are, there are still manners in the higher planes no?" She then jabs a gnarled index finger at Jiggo. "And you should always rebuff a lady's advances when in public. It is only proper!"
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"My apologies, madam." Salera stiffens up and properly bows. "I keep testing him like this and he fails frequently. It is improper."
Salera remembers her time in the court and the many, many lessons her mother gave her.
Jiggo, meanwhile turns a shade of pink as he pulls out a comb to fix hair. "Oh! Sorry. Normally she isn't like this. I mean, she can be who she wants to be, of course. But..." Jiggo is tongue-tied while Salera fails to fight a grin.
Desperate to switch subjects, he offers a hand to Enrax. "Good to see you! Hopefully we can get the details of this mission quickly."
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A darkly shrouded and cloaked figure emerges from the shadows. The cloak is a bit in tatters as you are unable to see whom is beneath them.
"Do not be startled." The figure states in a grave female voice that seems to echo slightly. "My name is Azrael. I am a new recruit for the Pathfinders to offer my protections." The ominous figure looms in the room, looking over her fellow Pathfinders.
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"Or be startled, if you prefer." A flinty-voiced, shadowy half-elf steps out from behind Azreal. Dressed all in black, with charcoal-black skin, she stands out like a sore thumb in the bright daylight. "Nal Bagura, at your service." She nonchalantly refuses to rise to the rod-up-her-shirt old lady.
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Hadega whirls around to meet the new arrivals. "What higgery jiggery is this? Ladies you may think manners are not needed in the shadows but you would be incorrect! They are essential, even when no one is looking, ESPECIALLY when no one is looking."
To Enrax, she bows as if to demonstrate proper technique, "Good day, sir."
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A medium human-height dark-skinned man walks in. He seems to perusing some notes in a small black book that he's leafing through. You notice he has few hairs on his head. The man carries rapier, a shortbow, and wears padded armor.
Luz lowers his book and makes eye contact with each person, perhaps staring a big long.
"Luz." He then nods and goes back to his small book.
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As soon as Hadega turns to bow to Enrax, Nal releases a quick grin of amusement, white teeth flashing briefly before fixing her face into a merely-mildly-amused expression as she shake's Jiggo's hand. "Nice to meet you, Jiggo."
She offers a handshake and a smile to Azrael and the guys as well, before stepping up to Hadega. Okay, here goes. I can't afford to be at odds with a teammate if it comes to a fight. Bowing slightly, she tries to convey sincere respect and sincerity as she says: "My apologies, madam, for the nature of my entrance."
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Venture Captain Bracket stops by the room where you are gathered.
Ah, you have all arrived. Good. I'm afraid this may be a rather boring trip for you. Tomorrow morning you will all be assigned various chores and other miscellaneous jobs while I prepare for the lawsuit that has been filed against the society over ownership of this lodge. It should all be rather mundane, so get a good night's sleep and we will talk more in the morning.
And he heads back to his offices.
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Jiggo stands up straight. "Yes sir!" As the Venture-Captain leaves, Jiggo relaxes a bit. "Hmm. That's not what I expected." He shrugs.
Salera waits for the Venture-Captain to leave giving a knowing look to Nal. "Now I'm curious wonder what this mission is really about..." She grins. "It's never boring, that's for sure."
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Azrael heads to her room and sits on the edge of her bed. She has not had a restful night of sleep since she has returned to this world. Throwing her tattered hood back reveals a beautiful blond haired, blue eyed younger woman with ashen gray skin. Undoing the clasp the cloak falls free and she is left gripping a small dagger that she caresses gently. For this was the dager that once took her life. Several thoughts race through her mind as she sets the dagger on the nightstand and lays back, staring at the ceiling, further awaiting the Venture Captain's call. "What am I doing back here? What brought me back?"
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"Yes..." Hadega says, face scrunched up in a puzzled look "That did seem a rather brisk briefing. Keep your eyes peeled everyone!"
She turns and heads down the hall to her room. In her room, when the door closes behind her, her shoulders relax ever so slightly; her posture slips just so. She unhooks the whip at her waist--the initials V.S. stitched into the handle--and places it on the nightstand. The room seems to be like most in the lodge, but she searches it once over just to be sure.
She then begins her meticulous preparations for bed.
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Nal meets Salera's look with a raised eyebrow. "Agreed. I think the standard job description for Pathfinder agents is 'various chores and miscellaneous jobs'. Misleading and painfully accurate at the same time." She shrugs with a half-smile. "Well, see you in the morning, I guess. Unless something wakes us in the night." She seems hopeful at the thought of that as she slips off toward her quarters.
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After you settle in for the evening, you hear shouts spill through the open windows of the cathedral. Several disparate voices can be heard, punctuated by what sounds like incoherent outbursts and the rabble‑rousing of a forming mob.
The voice of the lodge’s head librarian echoes through the cathedral’s interior, calling, “Pathfinders! Get to the front entrance. I think Brackett might need some help out there!”
When you get to the front entrance, you see Venture-Captain Brackett in his nightgown, having a heated discussion in the doorway with a growing crowd of citizens from the East Hill district. The townsfolk speak over each other, each detailing bits and pieces of eyewitness accounts of an incorporeal figure spotted a few blocks from the Pathfinder lodge, as well as other strange happenings.
Pathfinders, can you help VC Brackett calm the crowd?
Calm the crowd attempt 1
Bold may act in any order, the list is just tracking so that everyone gets to act
Azrael Duskhall
Nal Bagura
Jiggo Maeleranti
Luz Lumino
Hadega E. Scrimsworth
Enrax
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Luz, upon hearing the murmurings of a creature, makes it the subject of his investigation. Luz then tries to calm the crowd and assure them that there is No Cause for Alarm
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Luz actually manages to get the crowd's attention, and while they aren't mechanically frightened, he does manage to calm them down a bit.
Calm the crowd attempt 1
Bold may act in any order, the list is just tracking so that everyone gets to act
Azrael Duskhall
Nal Bagura (Guidance)
Jiggo Maeleranti
Luz Lumino
Hadega E. Scrimsworth
Enrax
1 Calming points
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Hearing the shouting Azrael tosses her cloak on and throws the hood over her head to remain out of sight. She listens to the screaming and sees that the Venture Captain is barely able to get a word in. She thrusts her hand high into the sky as her sleeve falls partially down her arm. The sky just above her hand cracks open where she reaches into a void. Pulling her hand back she seems to be gripping a long handle, slowly dragging it through the crack in space. Little by little she reveals a three bladed scythe, each blade longer and deadlier than the last, but the unnerving part is each blade has several varying sized eyes staring out from the metal, blinking and watching. She snaps the wooden handle down onto the cement making the sound like thunder. "That will be enough."
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Azrael's display of her weapon and voice gets the crowd's attention and quiets them somewhat.
Enrax, however, can't compete with Azrael's display and can't get anyone's attention.
Calm the crowd attempt 1
Bold may act in any order, the list is just tracking so that everyone gets to act
Azrael Duskhall
Nal Bagura (Guidance)
Jiggo Maeleranti
Luz Lumino
Hadega E. Scrimsworth
Enrax
2 Calming points
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Well, so much for a good night's sleep. Nal grimaces wryly, glad she hadn't gotten undressed yet. She grabs her gear and tosses it on as she slips down the hall toward the disturbance.
"Nal be a dear and tell this rabble to get in line. This sight is unseemly at our door!"
Hadega incants a minor boon to aid Nal.
"I'll try, but you won't like my method." With that, the dark half-elf melts into the shadows.
Just as Azrael has drawn the crowd's attention, Nal seems to materialize from behind her (again). In her flinty voice, she commands: "Only one may speak at a time. Venture-Captain Brackett will choose when you speak."
She then casts Guidance on Hadega, hoping to mollify her.
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Nal starts to whip the crowd into shape, sternly chastising them for speaking out of turn.
Calm the crowd attempt 2, Final round of attempts
Bold may act in any order, the list is just tracking so that everyone gets to act
Azrael Duskhall
Nal Bagura
Jiggo Maeleranti
Luz Luminov
Hadega E. Scrimsworth (Guidance)
Enrax
3 Calming points
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Azrael can't get her occultism in tune with the crowd and determine what is going on.
Calm the crowd attempt 2, Final round of attempts
Bold may act in any order, the list is just tracking so that everyone gets to act
Azrael Duskhall
Nal Bagura
Jiggo Maeleranti
Luz Luminov
Hadega E. Scrimsworth (Guidance)
Enrax
3 Calming points
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"I'll try, but you won't like my method." With that, the dark half-elf melts into the shadows.
...
She then casts Guidance on Hadega, hoping to mollify her.
Hadega says, "Goodness me, at least that posture was better this time. Keep that back straight and we will be through this in no time!"
She narrows her eyes at the crowd. She remembers back to her days at the counter of the leatherworking shop, bunches of customers all talking over one another at her. Remembering her time at the leatherworkers guild and their shouting-match vote sessions. She tries to pick out the relevant voices from the crowd, isolate them, prioritize them, as if they were customers.
She then incants guidance onto Luz's shoulders.
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Hadega tries to channel her earlier experiences dealing with crowds, but something about this one throws her off. Perhaps it is the fear instead of the hopes of her customers or the desires of her guildmates, but she can't quite make contact.
Calm the crowd attempt 2, Final round of attempts
Bold may act in any order, the list is just tracking so that everyone gets to act
Azrael Duskhall
Nal Bagura
Jiggo Maeleranti
Luz Luminov (Guidance)
Hadega E. Scrimsworth
Enrax
3 Calming points
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Luz distracts the crowd with a discussion of people in close quarters. but Enrax just can't seem to get people to listen.
Calm the crowd attempt 2, Final round of attempts
Bold may act in any order, the list is just tracking so that everyone gets to act
Azrael Duskhall
Nal Bagura
Jiggo Maeleranti
Luz Luminov
Hadega E. Scrimsworth
Enrax
4 Calming points
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Wow, these folks are really focused. Let's see if I can break that. Distractions, ummm... Maybe acting weird? Nal rolls her shoulders to loosen them and begins pirouetting and leaping about like a fancy dancer, hoping her behavior is odd enough to cause some of the crowd to stare silently at her in confusion.
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Nal's dancing catch's the attention of some people in the crowd, so it helps, but Jiggo's inability to grasp the implications of the apparition confuses the crowd.
VC Brackette starts to move forward to order the crowd to disperse.
Suddenly
A harsh wind stirs, sudden and cold. As if in response, the cathedrals bells begin to toll. Just behind the crowd, smoke rises and coalesces into the form of a young human woman, one arm outstretched toward the cathedral’s entrance. Her single, gasped word cuts through the din of bell and wind alike:
“Pathfinders!”
The spectral woman fades as quickly as she appeared. As the figure vanishes, the chill in the area dissipates, and the bells and the crowd fall into a hushed silence.
After the ghost’s appearance, Brackett insists upon the townspeople return to their homes for the night.
Brackett ushers you inside one of the cathedral’s interior meeting rooms as he goes to get refreshments. After a few minutes he returns and offers you some hot tea.
Venture-Captain Brackett has a slightly disheveled look on his face. As he finishes passing out tea, he takes a seat at the head of the wooden table and takes a quiet moment. He speaks in a hushed voice. “Pathfinders, I don’t recognize that ghostly figure who appeared, and it’s obvious that the locals are skeptical about our involvement. To be honest, I might be too if I were in their position. I lay no blame upon the people for their worry. Unfortunately, with the current legal case in place with the church of Iomedae, we can’t afford any blows to our reputation with the people of Almas.”
Brackett brings a hand to his head for a moment before continuing, “In normal circumstances, I would investigate these occurrences myself. However, I can’t spare the time. I ask that you forgo any tasks you had for tomorrow and focus your efforts on finding out who that ghostly figure was, where she came from, and why she seems tied to this lodge.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see the townsfolk continue to take issue with us. If this happens again, I insist that you do what you can to resolve the situation peacefully.”
Do you have any questions?
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“Investigating the area where we saw the ghost wouldn’t be a bad start. See if you can find any clues as to its identity. While the locals are upset about the situation, speaking with them should provide more information. If anything, talking to the citizens is an important step in reestablishing their faith in us.”
Salera stays indoors and upstairs, watching the crowd of peasants squabble and bicker. They're always like this. Every minor inconvenience erupts into argument. They can't grasp the bigger picture.
But then it gets exciting as a strange woman appears and implicates the Pathfinders in a single action. Now it's spicy.
Once the crowd disapates, Salera hops out of the window and lets her wings glide herself down, landing near Jiggo. "Don't worry about it Jiggs, they'll listen to you eventually." I used to be a lot louder...
Venture-Captain Brackett finally describes the mission. "Looks like someone is trying to mar the Pathfinder reputation. Asking the residents when they aren't mid panic is a good place to start."
"Jiggo and I are ready."
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The Cathedral of Aroden is located in the section of Almas known as the Avenue of the Gods. After it came under the ownership of Venture-Captain Brackett, the Society renovated it. The lodge now has numerous guest rooms, meeting rooms, laboratories, and a library staffed by homunculi.
When a mortal dies through particularly violent means, or without closure of personal business, they may linger on in the world as an incorporeal undead known as a ghost. These undead maintain strong ties to the Material Plane and can’t depart until their unfinished business is somehow concluded.
Incorporeal undead known as wraiths often lash out against organizations that have wronged them. These undead are known for inciting panic in citizens and using them against the targets of their ire.