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Thevenin lays by a stream of cool water, dipping their rooty toes while their leaf-covered body basks in the grey light. It's cloudy out, but Thevenin easily sees through the clouds and orients their leaves to the sun. A thin sheen of electricity runs across their body, micro-storms raging around them as they recharge.
"Lessgo!" they shout as soon as they're saturated with electricity.
Each of you received your newest assignment and each of your instructions were the same: to head to the Thuvian city-state Aspenthar for a meeting with a representative for that place’s ruler – Prince Zinlo. Though for one of you the mission notice contained something more. In addition to a letter, Cascading Rapids‘ package contained a cloth-wrapped scarab-shell inset with a blue jewel, along with instructions to touch the gem once all of your party was assembled.
When you all actually arrive in the city, Aspenthar’s opulence provides a nice change of pace from your longs journeys across the oceans and deserts. Situated on Garund’s north coast the city is a thriving port with merchants hawking all sorts of wares while citizens go about their days in light cooling clothing. Banners of orange, blue, and black line the causeways and buildings as the occasional battalion of the prince’s guards march down mosaic-lined streets.
Once you’ve all actually found and met with each other, unwrapping the scarab and touching the gem causes a strange sensation to wash over you all. You each can ‘see’ in your mind a vision of what feels like a memory, though one you’re sure you had never directly experienced. You ‘remember’ standing in a shaded pavilion at the center of a maze-like garden. Venture-Captain Diya Akan is there, a sand-colored dog resting at her side. She wears a red and white head scarf affixed at her shoulder with a scarab pin, and her elven eyes are clouded. “I regret not being able to join you in Aspenthar, Pathfinders, but events have transpired which force me to remain at my lodge in Merab.” The venture-captain idly pats her dog. “Do not worry about me, though. You should focus on the mission at hand: you’ll be traveling deep into Thuvia’s deserts to explore an ancient ruin. Prince Zinlo’s representative, Gol Amri, waits for you at Aspenthar’s public palace to provide details. The prince has promised provisions for this journey; remind Gol Amri if she forgets. Impress the prince if you can—with his approval, we may be able to explore even more ruins near Aspenthar—but be careful, Pathfinders. The hot sands and ancient memories of Thuvia are equally unforgiving.”
With those words the memory fades and you once again can see only the bustling city-life of Aspenthar.
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As the memory fades you notice a four foot tall porcelan doll resting lopsided in the corner within a crate. The eyes shimmer and gleam in the dim lighting as her face shows lines and cracks all throughout from age. The doll wears a tattered and old victorian dress that expands out bigger and bigger around the feet as a matching stained bow is in her curled bond hair, along with a few cobwebs from storage of course.
No matter where you look or move about her eyes seem to follow but the doll never moves, that is until the vision ceases. Out of the corner of your eye you see the doll twitch ever so slightly as a sing song voice comes from the darkness of the storage bin. "Are you friends? I met friends awhile ago. I hope to see them soon." Comes a sing-song voice you have not heard yet. It sets a bit of unease about the room as the voice goes silent once more.
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"May I see that gem?" A male Elf with a serious look takes a few moments to examine the scarab. "Interesting. We seem to have experienced the memory of someone else, stored within the gem. There was a group known as the ‘Scarab Sages’ who – amongst other things – had made great strides in researching and understanding the capacity of certain gemstones to be able to hold and transmit knowledge, information, and even full personalities. It seems that from their long alliance with the Pathfinder Society they may have passed on some of those discoveries for broader use in communication that Venture Captain Akan took advantage of here."
He hands the relic back to Case and smiles "My name is Junior Peppers, I've been here in Aspenthar for a while now, doing some explorations into a newly found site along the coast. I've met with Gol Amri before, the expedition was a success so I expect our meeting will go well." He stands there, offering up introductions around the group, although not quite sure what to make of the talking doll. Its obvious he likes the finer things in life, dressed in fine local clothing.
"Yes we are friends, do you need help little one? Are you lost here?" Who would ever tell a creepy doll they aren't friends? Maybe we can donate it to an orphanage?
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The dolls head jerks as it moves, the joint broken and not smooth as it once was from years of use and abuse. As her head turns to the side to get a better view you notice a sizeable hole in the cracked porcelain face and able to see within the hollow toy head. "I'm not sure. I am Princess Sunset. At least that is what Emma called me..." Her face droops a bit "That was a long time ago. I have been sitting in boxes, basements and now this crate for a long time. Their love sparked something in me. I woke up in the dark...called out for my friend...why would they abandon me?" The poppet looks up questioningly.
Her arms begin to move, slowly at first then little by little as the doll crashes to the ground from the box. She attempts to lift herself. After a few failed attempts the poppet finds herself standing on wobbly legs, staring up at Junior with a bit more newfound freedom. "I will go with you friend."
Once you are ready finding the palace is not difficult. The central palace building looms at the center of Aspenthar, serving the city as a place for public announcements, events, and government functions. A pair of guard stop you as you approach, but upon learning you have a scheduled meeting with Gol Amri they let you through the gates and you are guided by a courtier to a spacious sitting room inside. Your party does not have to wait for long before a well-dressed Garundi woman enters the room, hands wide in greeting. An older woman follows close behind, clutching an agate key on a broken chain.
The younger woman speaks: “Greetings, Pathfinders! I am Gol Amri, and I welcome you to Aspenthar in the great Prince Zinlo’s name.” She helps her companion to a seat before continuing. “This is Kida Ameen, citizen of Aspenthar and the victim of a terrible crime. The prince in his inestimable wisdom and incomparable justice has sought your Society to address her plight. Kida, please explain.”
The older woman - Kida - sips from a glass of water and speaks in a ragged voice. A bandage is wrapped across her face and she speaks slowly as to not further aggravate a deep gash in her cheek. They came for Husha first.
Our families knew each other, and I thought thieves killed him when they found him home. I kept a knife close at night afterward, and when the murderers attacked eight nights later, I escaped. Her hand moves to the bandage at her throat. My husband was not so fortunate. They didn’t seek money, speaking only of a key. This key. My family has held it for generations. My grandmother told me it unlocked a treasure buried deep in the desert. There were three keys, and three families. Nana Surna said our ancestors over the greatest wealth in the sands, but they fled when monsters came.
Kida leans back and takes another drink while the representative Gol Amri continues. “The Prince’s soldiers slew several of these assassins when they brazenly pursued Kida into the streets. The priests interrogated the fallen, discovering they are Usij — cultists bent on the world’s destruction. They’ve found a ruin in the desert which they believe is linked to the keys. We fear they possess at least one key already. Our wise prince does not tolerate these cultists. He requests you find this ruin, purge it of Usij, and put an end to whatever vile scheme they’ve dared insult him with."
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A human lady arrives, panting and catching her breath. She woke up late but fortunately she is staying at a nearby inn from the lodge. She arrives just in time to see the vision and receive further instructions from Gol.
"I'm Lesley. It is nice to meet you all." she introduces herself to them. She intently listens to the plight of the victim and she has nothing to offer but to console her loss. "I am sorry for what happened to your family." She then turns to Gol. "Any advice when we travel at the desert?"
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"Wha? What just happened?" asks a slender woman of medium height. "Did we just receive a sending from someone else?" She shakes her head to clear it from the cobwebs of the vision. She turns and sees the other Pathfinders.
"Shayna Quickfingers. Some of you might have met either my older sister Francine or my twin Shayla. Unlike them gallivanting around Golarion, someone has to mind the store. If you've been to Absalom, visit the Quickfingers Equipment Emporium. I think we can find a good deal for you."
Shayna pauses and blushes as she realizes that she's just made an embarrassing sales pitch. She quiets down and runs her fingers over her flute.
Shayna has a proper look around at the other Pathfinders. It turns out that she recognizes two of them. Eyes widening, she turns and greets her friends.
"Junior! Cascading Rapids! Nice to see you again!" To the others, she continues, "Yes, Gol and I have met before. The same adventure I met JR and Cascading Rapids!"
Shayna was the player I applied the Q06 Chronicle to.
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"Find, purge, dare, yes." Cascade nods. He tilts his head as he things. "But you did have the key. They knew whom to steal it from. It would seem our foes are more well-informed than we are. That is unfortunate."
He looks curiously at Shayna. "But you are gallivanting now, yes? Hm. Out in the desert. Sunny, yes, but dry." He holds up a waterskin. "Perhaps I should acquire additional containers to carry water."
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"Oh, nice to formally meet you Shayna, I thought I saw you doing paperwork on our last trip." He gives a headnod to Cascade as well. "Guess we have some familiarity going forward at least."
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JR greets Gol Amri warmly "Good to see you again, hopefully we'll be as helpful as we were able on the last foray." He settles in to listen to the poor woman's tale, his mind racing about trying to remember any details that come up that he could add in.
"Would you be providing a guide? And that key?"
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Thank you Kida say to Thevenin as the leshy tends to her wounds. They notice as they replace the bandages that the woman’s blood has a slightly blueish tinge, though it is otherwise flowing normally.
[spoiler=Society or Nature DC 10]Kida has undine heritage
To their questions, Kida replies Husha had one key – our ancestors settled near each other and our families remained close over the generations. The third clan, I do not know what became of them or their relic. She then, with a mix of reluctance and relief, takes the agate key out and offers it to the leshy by her side.
Gol adds (her tone a bit haughty and impatient) ”The priests interrogated the dead and confirmed that several assassins had already fled with Husha’s key – wisely fearing the Prince’s wrath and hiding back in the desert. Those Usij are cowards but a vile and dangerous sort. Worshippers of the lord of all divs Ahriman they pray to demons and seek to corrupt and destroy the world.”
”The site Kida speaks of is a ruin south across the desert. The priests told me a competent group should be able to reach it in five or six days, traveling south across the desert. I’m sure a group of Pathfinders can manage that. And luckily for you the Prince’s generosity is boundless! I have arranged the finest travel fare, sufficient water, and the sturdiest of camels to bear it all. Should you require more, the markets of Aspenthar are the envy of the nation!”
Shayna too finds it difficult to keep track in her mind all the distinctions between this region's various outsiders and cults, but Lesley has heard of the Usij. They are a group of fiend-worshippers who dedicate themselves to the foul divs of the region. Their goals are always to seek to ruin and undermine mortal life, whether through direct violence or deeper corruption.
"Of course you will have some guidance." Gol Amri says. Reaching beneath her robes the representative brings out a fine vellum scroll. "The royal cartographers have prepared a map for you. You will follow the main trade router to an oasis along the way to Pashow, then after that head southwest to reach this ruin Kida has informed us of. I trust that a group of 'Pathfinders' should have no difficulties locating it."
JR can excuse himself for a moment to inspect the offered supplies. While Gol Amri's claims are a bit over-the-top, the material does seem high-quality. There is more than enough water and rations for a few weeks in the desert, as well as two four-person tents and luxurious bedrolls for each of you. The camels look healthy . They even threw in several sets of clothes for you that are a bit more suitable for traveling beneath the hot desert sun.
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"Very fine accommodations indeed Gol Amri, we'll be sure to take good care of these sturdy camels as well."
Once their ready to go JR will change into one of the sets of traveling clothing, stowing his own away from when they return to the city. He attempts to warm up to the camels, seeing which is most agreeable. "I'll name you Sir Spitzalot."
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Thevenin doesn't mind walking.
"That way," Thevenin explains, "We can take half a piano with us!"
They're disappointed to learn that the Pathfinder Society does not have half pianos for loan.
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"We can find any path!" Cascade boasts proudly, "But... it is faster if you don't have to. We gladly accept the shared knowledge of those who found it already."
He hurries over with the others to see the offerings. "Perhaps the camels already have names. DO YOU HAVE A NAME? He says his name is Prrpft."
"I wish you luck Pathfinders." Gol Amri says to you. "I am certain that yo---and you're gone" she trails off as a good chunk of the party is already getting quite pre-occupied with the camels that the handlers have brought out.
Those handlers will also help you load up the camels, as well as giving suggestions on how to best manage the beasts and the desert. At this time of year, Thuvia’s deserts are relatively hot during the day but mild to cool at night, though appropriate clothing should make it safe to travel outside of the worst parts of the day. Pointed out your path on the map, the oasis is 37 miles away - likely a 2 days' journey. From there the second leg to the ruin is ~54 more miles - probably another 3 days.
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With the camels laden with your supplies and key and map in hand, the open expanse of the Thuvian desert lies ahead of you. The map and instructions make the general path quite clear, but those of you who have spent any amount of time in deserts know that the dunes can shift in the winds...
Shayna’s melodious tubes are quite relaxing as you being your trek across the sands. And Cascade’s leadership brings you southward in good time. Your first day’s journey is mostly uneventful - the most exciting moment being catching sight of several desert drakes soaring off in the distant sky in the late afternoon - and as you settle down at night to camp you are just over halfway to the oasis waypoint.
Leshies helping leshies is always a happy sight to see. But despite this on the second day Cascade’s directions are a bit less assured. Not helping is a strong desert wind that grows in intensity as the day passes, causing the dunes to shift more rapidly than normal making keeping good footing a challenge.
Cascade continues to be just having a very bad day. Luckily his larger friends are able to catch the leshy before he falls too far down the more treacherous dunes, and while you movement is a bit slower than you'd hoped byt the time nightfall hits the windstorm seems to passed on.
Today is much brighter, whihc makes it runn a bit more hot but also means steering the group is a lot easier for Cascade! You and your camels begin to see something in the distance a bit before midday
A way in the distance you can faintly make out a small oasis ringed with several trees. Smoke is rising up from some sort of small fire beneath the acadia grove around the still oasis water.
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"It is likely a controlled campfire, though I do not understand why anyone would need one in this heat." As a creature who rarely eats, "cooking" does not immediately come to him. "Regardless, we can do nothing about it from our present location. It is too far away. We will be there soon, but not soon enough to stop a fire."