Please dot and delete while we wait for the convention to start.
OK, please introduce your characters, since it's almost time to start.
Also, please fill out the first slide on the maps link, and provide a map token for your character on that same slide. (if you have questions about either, please use the discussion thread to ask)
|
Bahram walks into the room, any room, with the utmost confidence. He is a half-orc with dark, ruddy skin. His arms, that you can see, are covered in tattoos. He wears a fine chain shirt, a golden sash (Sometimes worn around his head, sometimes worn around his waist), curl tipped boots, and a gleaming great axe on his back. He has a half smile on his face most of the time, as if he is perpetually amused. Standing in the middle of the room that they were asked to gather in, he waits for someone to converse with.
|
A tiefling approaches and looks for a seat in the reception area. The (seemingly) young woman has completely black hair that would disappear into the inky black void that the stars fill. Her skin is a very light red, almost pink as if a red gel had been placed over a lantern as it shined on typical light skin. There are a couple of random places on her body where deep blue veins show through, including on her face. In a few other places she has tattoos of blue-stemmed roses to match and mask those veins. To top all that off are deep red eyes and dark brown horns that betray her Div heritage. Given that her appearance is too extraordinary to pass as anything remotely non-tiefling, she does not bother coiling up or otherwise hiding her tail, that is tipped with barbs.
She sees Bahram and nods. Greetings. I'm Nilah of the blade and the dance.
|
Another tiefling approaches the others. Sporting short horns, a restless tail, and eyes like staring in to the Abyss, she also makes no effort to disguise her ancestry.
A holy symbol does adorn her heavy armor, marking her a follower of the typically halfling goddess Chaldira Zuzaristan. A long blade is holstered on her back, maneuvered deftly by her tail whenever passing through a door or near other obstacles.
"Hello, call me Nyshka." She nods at Nilah. "Not sure I've worked with another of our kind before. Do tieflings usually shake tails instead of hands? Haha!"
|
|
A black scaled snout pokes through the door nostral's flairing seemingly to take in the scent of the room and its occupants. As the snout moves into the room more of its owner is revealed, a set of sharp teeth and crest dominating a reptilian head. Short clawed arms follow, stomping feet and finally a barbed tail that it seems to be gently avoiding hitting furniture and people with. Finding a corner it circles a few times before curling into a ball, tail wrapped around head, and shortly after what sounds like a faint snore rumbles from its chest.
In the wake of the Dinosaur arrives a short, bald and pale young adult dressed in armor of auroch leather and Raven feathers. A scimitar and dagger are strapped to his right hip and on his back is a large wooden shield and mean looking tree branch. A sling hangs looped around his belt with a small pouch that clicks when he walks tied to his left.
His black eyes, much too old and pain for one so young, takes in the room and snaps a sharp formal salute. " Former Lieutant of the Mendevian Crusader and now member of the Sarkorian Restoration Authority Mahakala at your service. My travelling companion," he indicates the sleeping dinosaur," and myself are currently attached to the Grand Lodge to rally support for the cause of liberating our homeland. As per directive from the Society we have been sent to assist you in your current endeavors and look forward to being of any assistance we can provide."
He pauses for a moment and his voice takes on a more youthful counternance. " Anyone know why we are here?"
|
|
Nilah nervously looks back and forth between the druid adorned in feathers and the tengu. Finally glancing at the dino resting in the corner, she remarks
Well, we certainly are a varied bunch. But then... these are usually the types of groups that surprise me with their skills.
She smiles again at the others, hoping her remarks don't offend any of them.
Your venture captain sends you to the Drunken Dog tavern outside Magnimar, telling you that you will be meeting with a woman named Jeminda Anikee. Jeminda is a nervous, mousey woman with dull brown hair and busy hands. When you meet with her, she explains to you that a small town, called Ravenmoor, has not paid taxes in years, and the person she sent to investigate has not returned. She asks you to travel to Ravenmoor as quickly and quietly as possible, and once there to accomplish two tasks: to find out what happened to Elias and to collect the 500 gp owed in back taxes. If the townsfolk aren’t able or willing to pay the money, she will settle for a report to that effect and can then go to her superiors for further support—her primary concern at this point is for her brother-in-law’s safety. She promises a payment of 200 gp each if you can solve the mystery.
|
|
Nilah's eyes narrow during the briefing. Reflexively, it bothers her that the the tax money and the missing person are casually listed together.
Obviously, Elias is the more important objective, no? What if the townsfolk have fallen on particularly hard times and there is good reason for their tax delinquency? Is it acceptable that we might observe and report good reason to forgive some of their back-taxes?
|
You're not sure how a bird grins, but the look in Zubb Zubb's eyes betrays him.
"Yes, I am kidding. Another Pathfinder once dared me to make that my entire introduction; brawk, but I'm not about to go through with that. I'm Zubb Zubb the Shaman, and I give good advice in combat."
He pulls a small animal from a satchel. It's a mongoose, but it's pelt is a twinkling starscape. The happy-looking creature begins to slowly float into the air.
"Now Galileo, enough showing off. Back in your home. I doubt we'll see the little guy again, but he likes his moment to, brawk, shine."
Unlike most Tengu, who almost invariably carry swords, Zubb Zubb is festooned with Tien weapons. A meteor hammer, rope dart, and a sansetsukon are all secured on his breastplate.
"As to the matter at hand, we have two priorities, brawk, let's just try to do both. If it comes to choosing one over the other, we can cross that, brawk, bridge when we come to it."
|
|
To Nilah, Nyshka offers her interpretation of the venture captain's directions. "I believe the client has said the more important problem is the missing man, and a report about reasons for the missing taxes is fine too."
She asks of Dreng "What sort of place is Ravenmoor? What kind of work do they do their to get the money to pay these taxes? Farming or crafting or something else?"
"And are there known threats in the area that the Society is aware of?"
|
|
Bahram nods along with Nyla and Nyshka's remarks about Elias being the primary objective.
"You say that this town has not paid their taxes in years. Has anyone had contact with anyone from Revenmoor in this time? Could the town have fallen to a threat years ago?"
That would be too bad for all of the inhabitants, but how interesting would that be!
|
|
Mahakala proffers a hand to Jeminda and introduces himself. " Apologies Madam Anikee but may i incur to your authority to gather taxes from Ravenmoor and who if anyone you work for or represent in this matter? If this is all above board could you provide us with proof of office so the locals will not take us for banditry. Should it turn into a humanitarian relief effort are there supplies you could provide us. "
The Samsaran pauses and frowns, " To echo the others any relevant and recent information regarding the town and its residents you could provide would certain assist in our initial threat assessment. Do you know the layout of the town? Does it have a local militia, sheriff, mayor or someone you suggest as a local contact? What is the local fauna like or the lay of the land? Are they any historical precedents of an incident of this nature or known dangers?"
By this point Mahakala has retrieved a scroll and has begun taking notes of any responses she has provided while continuing his questioning. " Regarding the missing previous agent Elias could you provide us any additional information on them? A physical description or sketching? Are they a capable adventure or more of a bureaucratic administrator? Have they been to the town before and if so do you know of any local haunts they might frequent?"
His tone changes to a more serious one with his last question, "And what would you expectations be should we find the town in good health but refusing to pay their taxes?"
Taayar continues to snore in the corner, being a dinosaur has perks.
"Ravenmoor is a tiny farming town. No one has been in contact with them because no one noticed they had not paid taxes. We really don't know any more."
She provides the requested description of Elias. It's rather vague, but the best you could reasonably expect. She also gives you a document verifying your role as agents for the tax office.
|
|
"I suppose I am ready to leave then."
When they do leave the room Nyshka comments "I don't care much to be a tax collector for a village of farmers, but the situation sounds concerning if the village is seeing some kind of troubles. And the fate of her last investigator needs to be discovered. At least we aren't being asked to bust skulls to get the tax money."
You find yourselves on your way to Ravenmoor. The journey, a matter of over 250 miles, starts out with nice roads, then horse trails, and finally a little-used trail into bogland and moors. On your last night of travel, you find yourselves almost overwhelmed by mosquitos. Finally, you approach the town near noon.
Perception checks, please, everyone.
|
|
A skinny sylph fellow comes huffing and puffing up, clearly winded by the effort, and looking like a good wind could easily just blow him away. "Pathfinders, right? Sorry to be late - I knew I shoulda said no t' that last lemonade but 'tis awfully hard to resist, dontcha know. In any case, I heard some taxes have gone missing, and some people too, and if there's one thing old Xivio just can't abide, it's gold that's lost, oh and people too of course of course, but lost gold, why it's a crying shame and ye can be sure I'll do my part to ahem reunite that gold with ... well, I'm sure it'll all wind up just where it needs to be, won't it!?!"
|
|
Mahakala packs his kit on a donkey he introduces as Doughnut and starts the long walk to Ravenmoor. The young druid seems unperturbed by the mosquito's, "As annoying as most people find them they play a key role in maintain the natural cycle of the boglands and moors. Maybe if we're lucky they'll be a store in town with an alchemical repellent."
He pauses to take in the sights, as Taayar sniffs around hope for a frog or twelve to munch on.
You hear a young voice calling, "Aaaaaaplesauuuuuce! Here boy! C'meer boy!" followed by some whistling. Bahram also hears a rustling in the grass at the right side of the road.
Xivio, Zubb Zubb, Nilah, and Bahram may act. You are not necessarily in combat, but are in initiative. There is no map here.
There are no tracks other than what you would expect, and nothing that appears to be from the last few minutes.
Bahram hears young running feet in response to his call.
A very large mosquito like creature flies out from the rustling bushes and tries to grab Zubb Zubb.
The creature grabs Zubb Zubb, but does not insert its probiscus into him as you would think would be normal.
The party is up.
A young boy rushes forward. For a moment he seems scared that you are hurting Applesauce, but then he sees that you are merely restraining, and he comes and thanks you for saving his pet. The stirge leaps into the boy's arms and nuzzles him.
The boy is too shy to answer questions or help, but he does introduce you to his father, Viorec Korzha (see picture on slides).
|
|
Mahakala seems taken a back, after all who names a giant mosquito applesauce, but then recalls many question his choice in travelling companion. He motions for Taayar to leave it be and is glad to see the bug fly to the young boy when he emerges.
"Greetings Applesauce" he says to the bug as the boy introduces his father. "Well met Master Korzha. My name is Mahakala, and this is my travelling companion Taayar."
He indicates the dinosaur who is looking at the bug with what you hope is merely interest, " We've come on behave of Mistress Anikee to check up on the town and provide any assistance we can should you require it. In addition she has asked us to collect some back taxes."
After a moment he digs through his bags and show him the documentation proving their legitimacy as tax collectors.