[Outpost VI] PFS 8-24 Raid on Cloudborne Keep (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

Followers of the evil elemental lord of air Hshurha have learned of the Pathfinder Society's plans to break open the Untouchable Opal and release Hshurha's ancient rival. One of Hshurha's lieutenants is gathering forces to deal a decisive blow to the Society and its new allies in the Concordance of Elements. If the PCs act quickly, they can make a daring strike, commandeering an airship on the Plane of Air and overtaking their enemy's fortress before it has the chance to rally its army.

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You have received a summons to a meeting with Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir in one of the Concordance of Elements’ meeting halls in Port Eclipse, a city on the Plane of Air.

A lean but muscular blue-skinned humanoid walks into the meeting hall. Wearing only a tight loincloth and a small backpack, he looks very out of place in Port Eclipse! "Fascinating," the undine says, looking around. "As I promised J., like leaves on the wind, membership in the Society carries one to the most unpredictable of places!"

He's talking to a teenager who carries herself with a confident and unladylike swagger. She is dressed in grey breeches, knee-high leather boots, a white cotton shirt, and an azure blue riding coat with tails with a golden eagle pin on the lapel. Beneath her coat, it is clear that she is wearing a mithral chain shirt. A small smile reaches her lips, and it seems she just can't help rolling her eyes a little at the pretentious remark. "Sure Arrius, whatever you say. I gotta admit though, the Plane of Air is certainly more interesting than boarding school . . ."

J. is attempting to look like a member of Andoran's Eagle Knights.
If any of you have played Black Waters or School of Spirits you might recognise her.

A Wayang entered, looking like a kid in a candy store as he was busy jotting down notes about Port Eclipse and the creatures that lived there. "Greetings, I am Ghukar. I am guessing that you also had been summoned by Venture-Captain Balentiir, how are you doing?" he asked.

The undine bows deeply. "Arrius Vext, Emissary of Outsea. As the morning blossoms are filled with warmth by the dawn's light, so am I blessed by the presence of fellow Pathfinders! This young lady has a beautiful name which she refuses to use, instead preferring simply "J."

The teenager scowls at Arrius and turns towards Ghukar. "Nice to meet you. Are you from around here?"

I imagine wayangs are relatively rare, so J. may not have seen one before.

A female catfolk with coffee-stained teeth wanders into the meeting hall, looking exactly not like someone casing the place for valuables.

Talking to herself Nice place here, Port Elipse, very limited law enforcement.

She bounds over the others.

Greetings all. Necco, Necco Wafer is the name. Don't believe anything you may have heard. I'm really quite trustworthy.

Yet another undine walks into the briefing. He stops short at seeing Arrius, only the second of his kind he had been on a mission with in all his time with the Society.

”Greetings, team. I’m Ashwell, sent by Lady Zarta to ensure all found knowledge is properly preserved and collected. Personally, I’d prefer to be in the library, but I think she gets a kick out of torturing me,” he trails off.

Another exotic-looking individual arrives in the hall. He's tall and thin with pale blue eyes and dark violet skin.

His voice is quiet but strangely compelling.

Greetings, I am called Volsung Dreamseer. This is a fascinating place! I have never been to one of the elemental planes before. I look forward to learning the languages spoken here.

Volsung has the truespeaker trait and learning languages is sort of a hobby.

Arrius bows deeply at the newcomers.

"As a thirsting man in the desert feels rapture seeing his own image in the still waters of an oasis, so too does my heart fill with joy by coming face to face with another of my kind," he says to Ashwell.

"Of course you must be trustworthy," Arrius says to Necco. "For I trust you, as all Pathfinders, with my very life! Can a man climb a ladder with rungs missing? Welcome!"

"Indeed, Volsung Dreamseer, I too am as astonished by this realm. The thrill of travel is like the Song of the Spheres, a pleasing melody that never ceases."

J. sighs and mumbles under her breath. "I hope the mission starts soon, or he'll go on like that all day . . ." But despite her complaint, it's clearly said with some affection for the undine.

The rowdy town of Port Eclipse stretches out in all directions and soars overhead, its buildings clinging to the inside of a hollow sphere of rock. Gaps in the sphere open to boundless blue skies. Docks protrude from the gaps, extending into the endless expanse of the Plane of Air. From these, airships of all shapes and sizes dock and depart in a regular stream. Many of the bustling port’s inhabitants soar freely through the open air.

The circular front door to a dome-shaped building swings open. Venture Captain Norden Balentiir stands in the doorway. “Thank you all for journeying here,” he says, “Come inside, and watch your step.” As the venture-captain backs into the room, he points to its oddly sloping floor. The dome-shaped building’s interior is roughly spherical, with chairs bolted to all of its walls and a cylindrical dais floating in its center.

A tall and handsome suli man with pale blue eyes that glow with electric radiance hovers in the air by the dais. A wispy dust cloud slowly circles the suli’s head, making whooshing noises as it moves. Balentiir speaks, “I hope those of you unfamiliar with planar transit don’t find the process unsettling. I, myself, try not to eat for a few hours before crossing a planar boundary.” He smiles cordially. “If any of you haven’t met him before now, permit me to present our friend, ally,” his voice takes on a wry tone, “and host, as this building belongs to his organization. Ashasar, Liaison to the Seat of Balance of the Concordance of Elements.” The suli inclines his head with a welcoming smile. Balentiir goes on, “In case you aren’t familiar with recent events, let me catch you up. After some initial misunderstandings between our groups,” Ashasar looks aside at Balentiir and shrugs, “We have come to terms and are working toward the same goal: releasing the captive elemental lord, Ranginori, from his imprisoning artifact—the Untouchable Opal. This goal has attracted the attention of the other Lord of Air, Hshurha, who does not want to see her rival freed. Accordingly, she has begun mobilizing her forces against both our organizations.”

“Which has only furthered our cooperation.” Ashasar finishes, and then takes over. “So, we are trying to limit her available resources. One of our agents informs me Grasping Storm, a belker lieutenant of hers, is hiring mercenary groups to increase its strength. One of those mercenary groups is traveling to Grasping Storms base via airship in a few days.” As if he were petting a cat, Ashasar traces a finger along the shape of his cloud satellite, which reshapes itself into an airship with a dragon’s head for a mast. Its draconic face takes on a contented expression. “We would have you take their place aboard, and gain entrance to Purest Air, Grasping Storm’s cloud fortress. Infiltrate it, find Grasping Storm, and take one of Hshurha’s lieutenants off the board before she has a chance to send it at us.”

Questions?

Bom raises an eyebrow at the speech. A pale-skinned Uflen man with jet black hair, Bom did not seem pleased. Bom reached out to pet, Ulfur, the large grey wolf at side.

"This sounds like an assassination attempt...several, if we are being honest. Seems a little dark for the Society."

Bom stopped stroking the wolf an crossed his arm. The large wooden spiked shield on Bom's back seemed to frame the image nicely.

"Mayhaps, Born is right. The light of truth, when consumed by darkness, ceases to provide illumination. Yet, not all are worthy of forbearance insofar as we owe mercy to the diseased, not to the plague that infests them. Ashasar, Liaison to the Seat of Balance of the Concordance of Elements, may I ask what exactly a 'belker' is?

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"A belker is a creature of air, but unlike the elementals we usually run across, it is malevolent."

With all this talk of planar travel and creature, Ash tries to remember his study on the planes in the library.

Know. Planes 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

Volsung takes the assignment in stride.

It's war. I understand that as I have battled the Dark Tapestry in the name of the Black Butterfly all my life.

Knowledge(planes): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

No question for me.

The teenager scowls at Arrius and turns towards Ghukar. "Nice to meet you. Are you from around here?"

"No, I am not, I am from Wanshou. There are not many god forsaken lands that are worse off than the place I call home. " Gurkar said, describing the land.

”Greetings, team. I’m Ashwell, sent by Lady Zarta to ensure all found knowledge is properly preserved and collected. Personally, I’d prefer to be in the library, but I think she gets a kick out of torturing me,” he trails off.

Gurkar smiled at the comment, "No Ashwell, I think you got sent here just like I did for missing her last soiree. That I was in the middle of the Mindspin Mountains for the Decemvirate at the time did not matter to her. " he said with a frown.

Greetings, I am called Volsung Dreamseer. This is a fascinating place! I have never been to one of the elemental planes before. I look forward to learning the languages spoken here.

" Greetings Volsung, we will get along. I have been learning languages when I can." Gurkar said, as he started to rattle off greetings in many languages, finding that he shared a few with the Aasimar.

The wayang kept his opinion to himself concerning the mission, but kept notes of any pertinent information.

Arrius nods slowly. "Yes, as removal of a blighted tree may save a forest, so could the defeat of Grasping Storm save many inhabitants of the elemental planes. I will join in this endeavor."

J. pumps her fist in excitement, though her smile falters when she sees Arrius' expression.

"You are not coming," he tells her. "The danger is too great, and a fledging must learn to fly before it can soar."

J. crosses her arms and looks defiant. "You gave me your word I could come on a mission! Something about how 'every fledging must tumble from the nest in order to learn to fly', remember! So I'm going, and that's that!"

The two walk off some distance to continue the argument out of earshot. When they return, Arrius' normally placid face is a scowl, while J.'s face wears the flush of victory.

Any other Knowledge or Gather Info checks to learn background? If not, I'm good to go.

All these lovely Planes rolls, and the scenario doesn't have anything additional to tell you.

After the briefing, Ashasar introduces the Concordance agent who provided the intelligence on Grasping Storm’s recruiting, a sylph named Zephyr of the Forgotten Sun. Balentiir hands the party a feather
token (bird) with instructions to use it to send a message to Ashasar when you have finished your mission. Ashasar assures you that once he receives the message, he will arrange to have you taken back to Port Eclipse. Finally, the venture-captain and Ashasar excuse themselves to let you and Zephyr plan.

“The airship, the Williwaw, departs in two days. The captain, a djinni named Beysal, makes regular runs to Purest Air, so she’s a natural choice to ferry Grasping Storm’s mercenaries. They’re a local group called Efwurwa’s Fury—all elemental beings. Apparently Grasping Storm specifically requested elemental mercenaries, and has refused to hire anyone who isn’t at least as tied to air as a slyph. The Furies won’t be the only ones responding to the call, but they’re the first, so getting to Grasping Storm before it has the opportunity to shore up Purest Air’s defenses is critical.”

Volsung smiles.

"So, we're sneaking or bluffing our way onto an airship full of mercenaries hired by our enemy, taking them out en route by force, charm, or an offer of better pay, and then using the airship the mercenaries hired to storm Pure's Air in order to kill Grasping Storm?"

"It does save the cost of hiring our own airstrip. I'll give the plan that much."

"So as to pluck a flower before it blooms, mayhaps we could plan an ambuscade for Efwurwa's Fury before they board the ship? And then as wolves in lambs' raiment, board the ship in the guise of those we've subdued."

Ghukar nodded in agreement at the suggestion. "Hitting them before they can board works for me. he said.

So, I guess we will need to be able to fly where we are going.

Bom looks at the others as if they are speaking Dwarven.

"Oh, this plan just keeps getting better. So how exactly do we convince Beysal to take non-air elemental mercenaries to a stronghold that only accepts air-elementals? And prey tell, how are we going to even be allowed off the ship into the fortress? And I ask again, when did the Society start resorting to assassination?"

Ulfur whimpers as if smells something bad.

"Your concerns are well-placed, good man Bom. The forest whispers caution to the torch, lest a stray spark begets an inferno that consumes all. For the first two queries, I must envisage the regrettable necessity of outright deceit--or perhaps even certain obscure means known to but a few that could temporarily sway another's thoughts in a certain direction. And for thine third, mayhaps we could capture Grasping Storm as a prisoner of war--a planar war that threatens all!"

@GM: I'm not sure if it's common knowledge or not that even creatures that can't fly can (with greater difficulty) move around on the Plane of Air.

”Are any of you particularly skilled at the talents of deception? Charming, lying, or the ability to berate others into doing your wishes?”

Zephyr of the Forgotten Sun chimes in as you discuss.

“The captain does some legitimate shipping alongside some smuggling. Belkers notoriously hate djinni, though. She’s likely not friendly with Grasping Storm, and might be open to smuggling you. I can arrange a meeting if you’d like.”

“I’m not certain. I’d wager that everyone who resides there can fly, so you might make sure you can too, unless you trust your skill at setting the direction of gravity. I know that Grasping Storm controls a cabal of sylph druids, like myself. Unlike myself, these are local servants of Hshurha. I find that’s not uncommon. Those born here with an inclination toward serving the air tend to fall into the orbit of the most powerful elemental being around. They might not even be evil, but there are so few visible alternatives. That’s one of several reasons I argued for freeing Ranginori even before the idea became popular.”

Volsung looks a little more serious, "Aye, I have some skill with convincing others to follow my preferred course of action. However, doing so is not guaranteed and can be of limited duration."

Volgung has +20 Diplomacy, +17 Bluff, and +13 Intimidate. I can also cast Suggestion with a DC of 24.

"Nonetheless, let us go and meet with this Captain Beysal. Do we know anything more about her that might help with persuading her? Do we have time to make inquiries?"

If time allows, I'd like to do a +20 Diplomacy gather information roll on Beysal.

"Alas, I'm unable to persuade nature to let me fly, so I will be purchasing two potions of flying."

Volsung, Gather Information: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38

Zephyr of the Forgotten Sun adds, “She rarely takes passengers and charges mightily when she does. If Efwurwa’s Fury already hired her, she might charge you less since she’d be getting paid twice. Still, she’s notoriously greedy. Apparently she’s stingy even as an employer—there’s a high turnover rate among her sailors. That’s one of the reasons it’ll be a few days before she departs. She has to hire several new crew members.”

Volsung can discover that Efwurwa’s Fury is a Port Eclipse-based gang of
elemental toughs. They’ve seen some enforcer and guard work, but haven’t made much of a name for themselves yet. Presently, their roster includes a handful of air elementals, plus the eponymous Efwurwa. Efwurwa is an invisible stalker who is well versed in fighting in tandem with her team.

"I don't suppose there is a budget for bribery? Or haven't all of you always wanted to sign up to be crewmen on an airship ferrying mercenaries? I understand there are openings."

"I am sure there will be an opening if they have a high turnover rate, even if it just cooking for the lot. Just need to find the right skill set that matches their needs. Maybe find our what tavern they hang out and keep our ears open." Ghukar suggested.

"I cannot fly. Neither can Ulfur. If you expect us to do so, then you had better provide us the means. I am not so rich to be drinking flying potions every five minutes. Otherwise this is a bad joke."

They did mention the air plane and air elementals, this is the reason I thought that, or they would provide us the means to do so.

"My understanding is that one can walk around perfectly normally here, provided there is a surface to walk on. The potions of flying that I purchased are strictly for emergencies, not for taking a casual stroll."

"I very much like Ghukar's suggestion. I myself have always dreamed of being a crewman on an airship, or at least, I think I can convince our captain of this, so she takes me aboard as an apprentice of some sort."

"I am, of course, open to alternative ploys and stratagems."

"Philosophers say time is like a circle, with neither a beginning nor an end. Yet although we may not find the beginning, perhaps we could make a beginning. An echo begins 'first things' first. Shall we confront these miscreants, subdue them, and then determine how to board the airship?"

”I have the ability to cast the Fly spell a few times a day, which could help in any emergency, I suppose,” Ash adds, as he thinks about the possibility of needing flight on the mission.

"Being able to fly on your own is a convenience, not a requirement, for travel though the plane. Being able to do so in an emergency, as you say, is probably wise, though you will not need to constantly have that particular magic upon you."

"I believe you are suggesting a preemptive strike, Arrius. I would be amenable to that. If there are no mercenaries to transport, the airship will have no passengers and thus no revenue, at least until we arrive looking for a ride."

J. speaks up confidently. "So all we need to do is find out where these Efwurwa's Fury are hiding out, and then put the hurt on them. It sounds like they're local, so we could just ask around."

Bom facepalms, "So now we want to take out a mercenary group?"

Bom sighs,

"Well, I would prefer a straight-up fight to all this sneaking around. I can imagine that the notorious Efwurwa’s has some red on her ledger."

"Looks like you have a few options: bribe the captain to leave the mercenaries behind, bribe her to let you on in addition, stow away, or fight the mercenaries before they depart. I'll arrange a meeting and support you in any way I can, and can provide spellcasting for you. Just let me know what you plan to do."

He can cast any druid spells from the PHB and APG, and can prepare five 1st level, four 2nd level and three 3rd level spells per day.

"Sounds like the 'fight the mercenaries before they depart' is our preferred option, yes?"

"Come, young J. As the bee collects pollen, let us collect information on the whereabouts of these mercenaries."

Unless someone objects, Arrius will try a Diplomacy (Gather Information) check to see if he can learn where Efwurwa's Fury is hiding out.

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Volsung will join Arrius and J in the search for useful information. Volsung has started a small notebook, "interesting things that Arrius says."

Diplomacy (gather information): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28

Arrrius and Volsung are able to determine that the gang is currently scattered throughout the city, attending to their own personal business. You're not going to be able to pin them down until they gather tomorrow to board the airship, though you can set up an ambush at the docks for them.

Arrius returns to the others to share what he's learned. "As circling vultures carry ill tidings to a lone desert traveler, so too must I be the bearer of bad news. The mercenaries are scattered through Port Eclipse, and thus our only chance to intercept them will be at the aerial harborfront. Surely word of a pitched battle there will carry like wind-fanned flames through a brittle forest, thus incinerating our hopes for a cunning disguise and infiltration."

"And yet--" he starts to continue, before J. cuts him off. "Long story short, we'll jump the bad guys at the docks and take it from there. Everyone ready? Let's go!"

”If that is our only option, that’s what it will have to be, I suppose. It’s never boring to be in the Society…”

Volsung quietly slips J a few gold pieces and whispers "Thanks."

During our previous gather information checks, did we learn anything about the dock area - security, innocents wandering about, that sort of thing?

You've gotten a good look at the Williwaw. When it is time to board, they will extend a ramp to it if there is any passengers who would find that more convenient, but many simply fly to their ships. The dock itself is similar to those you've seen on the Material Plane, other than the fact that the ships float on air instead of water. Most of the traffic is commercial, and the security is mostly to stop opportunistic thieves rather than a determined assault. You suspect that no one from the docks would interfere as long as you are not threatening innocents or other ships.