You arrive at one of Skyreach Tower’s convocation halls for the festivities.
It seems as though the entire Grand Lodge has the air of a celebration. The great gates are flung wide, and the phoenix trees lining the entryway are in full flame. The halls of the main tower of Skyreach, normally somber and reserved, echo with the sound of voices and music. The great ballroom is decked for a celebration, with colorful banners and bunting along the walls, tables replete with food and drink, and a jovial cacophony of conversation rising from Pathfinders of all ancestries, nations, and backgrounds.
After a quick scan of the room, it’s obvious that many of the attendees have gathered in small groups here and there. A half-orc woman in an iconic ship captain’s hat stands near the punch bowl, handing cups to anyone who passes within reach, and a dark-skinned half-elf leads a small group of new agents around the room, introducing them to other attendees. Several senior agents stand in quiet conferral with a dark-haired Taldan man with a distinctive chin strap beard, while a scholarly dwarf tells a rousing tale to a growing audience.
A familiar blond halfling woman bounces over, bubbling with excitement. Janira Gavix, Head Initiate of the Pathfinder Society, grins, “Oh, I’m so glad you made it! After all, the celebration is for you. Have you gotten drinks? Snacks? Be sure to spend some time getting to know everyone—it’s best to be on good terms with the movers and shakers in the Society, that’s how you learn about the latest opportunities. I’ll be here if you need me to help you with anyone’s names or to make an introduction. Just let me know how I can help!” Janira gestures everyone forward into the room, beaming all the while.
As the PCs slowly arrive, they observe the four Primary Faction Leaders (Eando Kline, Calisro Benarry, Fola Barun, and Gorm Greathammer) more-or-less occupying four different "pockets" of the party itself, four intimidatingly populous clusters of party-goers surrounding them each, dressing conservatively and drinking liberally (and blocking easy or natural access!), locked in conversations with yet other important members of The Society!
Aaqir al-Hakam is distractible with the following skills / topics:
Diplomacy
Society
Guild Lore or Mercantile Lore (or similar)
Kreighton Shaine is distractible with the following skills / topics:
Occultism
Society
Art Lore, Fortune Telling Lore, or Games Lore (or similar)
Sorrina Westyr is distractible with the following skills / topics:
Religion
Nature
Esoteric Lore or Scribing Lore (or similar)
...
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A tall slender olive-skinned woman with long dark hair pulled into a ponytail enters the room. She looks about, bemused, wondering why class was cancelled in favor of this soiree. She notices Folmyr hovering by the drinks table and heads over, relieved that at least she'll have someone to talk to.
"Hello Folmyr. It appears that you've already started the festivities! Have you seen anyone else from class yet?"
Heading over to Gorm Greathammer, she introduces herself to Sorrina Westyr.
"Well met, Master of Spells. I am Maneki Pemanah. I was the one sitting at the back of class dozing while you were lecturing on spell theory. I apologize for my rudeness but I must say that spells aren't exactly my strongest point."
Maneki's voice is slightly musical and can be hypnotic at times.
Janira Gavix gets involved!
"Oh hello Folmyr" she says when suddenly "Oh, okay, um, goodbye?!" confused before suddenly preoccupied again now chasing Maneki "Yes you'll want to talk to Gorm..." catching up she introduces her to the Master of Spells and Faction Leader "This is Maneki Pemanah, one of our newest recruits!" and with that conversation hitched off, she heads over to check on Ramona who, it seems, already has the full and complete attention of one Aaqir al-Hakam. "Drats!" she thinks to herself "I didn't get to make a proper inotrduction!"
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The hobgoblin comes as he should come. As an hobgoblin. Wearing a chain mail with a lizard on the shoulder, with a steady blue skin, a bold head and beady eyes, he carries his breaching pike. People say you don't need any armor neither any weapon during a party. But that's false. What if a sudden of mighty dragons then?
Seeing Fola Barun, he begins to converse with Kreighton Shane. Some people told me you are good at occult magic, rituals, you know, such things. Is it true?
Occultism:
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An older elf with long hair tied back in a ponytail and a sharp goatee confidently saunters into the room, looks around, and heads over to the drinks table.
"Excuse me, Prince Aaqir? You're blocking the way to the refreshments. Or is there a toll I don't know of?"
He chuckles to himself at his own joke.
Eando Kline
@ 0 Attention Points
Calisro Benarry
@ 3 Attention Points
Fola Barun
@ 0 Attention Points
Gorm Greathammer
@ 1 Attention Points
Seeing Fola Barun, he begins to converse with Kreighton Shane. Some people told me you are good at occult magic, rituals, you know, such things. Is it true?
The elf fails to notice the hobgoblin... or perhaps some other dynamic is at play... in either case, it seems Horul's question gets lost in the mix...
Heading over to Gorm Greathammer, she introduces herself to Sorrina Westyr.
"Well met, Master of Spells. I am Maneki Pemanah. I was the one sitting at the back of class dozing while you were lecturing on spell theory. I apologize for my rudeness but I must say that spells aren't exactly my strongest point."
"A little mind over matter is all it takes..." the Master of Spells' swirling ioun stones cease when she blinks, and then gather into her outstretched palm - she puts them into her pocket - and engages Maneki in a conversation about different essences of magic...
"Excuse me, Prince Aaqir? You're blocking the way to the refreshments. Or is there a toll I don't know of?"
A short stout woman in clerical garb approaches Aaqir al-Hakam, and with great diplomacy attempts to distract him.
"Who is your friend? She seems lovely!" Prince Aaqir asks Merilin before too late registering what the ancient elf has said "Yes - where are my manners?..." and begins explaining how instrumental he was in a recent trade contract that secured the business of another organization for future bids against various city plots and auctions...
...And it is in this moment that Calisro Benarry - freed from the conversational clutch of the Trade Prince - turns to the PCs and nearly belches "You ever heard of the Black Echelon?" she pauses here, then elaborates "Pirates of yore, tried to take Absalom - part of the Silent Tide invasion - anyway..." she approaches Merilin and Ramona and the other PCs more closely, pouring out two shot glasses of rum from a flask all stored in a couple of her jacket pockets "...I need a few good men to check out the shipwreck - err - "newly uncovered vessel" - yes that's it - dating back to that era with the insignias to prove it..." before adding after some suspense "...or so it is rumored..." now getting to the point "...this little party is scheduled to go for days, and uh, if my hands weren't tied..." she looks back over at Aaqir sidelong "...I'd do it myself. So. What do you say? I'll make it worth your while. Janira did say you were new recruits after all!"
"Here" says the Horizon Hunters faction leader "Take this!" she gives Merilin and Ramona each another small vial "Little pick me up for the trip" and with that, wades back into the attention of the Trade Prince, their negotiation continuing fervently!
Minor Healing Potion (1d8)
As the other Faction Leaders become once again swallowed by the crowds, the PCs make their way!
Janira comes over to assist.
"Looks like Calisro deems you trustworthy. Excellent start! Do you need any help?" she beams with extroverted energy, anticipating any questions the PCs may have!
"Janira, do you know anything about the Black Echelon or the Silent Tide? The name rings a bell, but I've been over in Tian Xia for a while and I'm not up to date on local history."
"Black Echelon, hmm. Sounds exciting!" she shares the elves excitement, then seems to realize it was a question directed as her "Oh wait. No. But! You could try asking around town on your way there!"
If your PC is Trained in a skill to Gather Information, and you have intent to roll, please roll a Secret check to do so in spoilers (such as this spoiler)!
The weathered boards of the ship’s main deck are cracked, warped, and thoroughly covered in a thick, stinking carpet of algae, seaweed, and barnacles. The sodden mess squashes and scrapes underfoot, while squawking gulls circle overhead. The ship once boasted three masts, but they are now broken off only a few feet above the jagged railings. Whatever other distinguishing features might have once existed on this vessel are either long lost or utterly obscured. Empty doorways lead into cabins to the fore and aft, and a dark opening descends into the lower level.
You notice unusual marking on the deck...
...with Breaching Pike in hand, Horul tiptoes onto the creeky boards...
You uncover the following tales about the Black Echelon.
Also, your hear from the locals that there is a creature that lives below the decks that can burn your skin with it’s breath, but only if it is disturbed...
As the PCs explore the Top Deck of the ship, they find little of value or interest, and begin winding down the stair to the Cargo Hold, where sharp beams of sunlight filter down through the cracks to cast dim light. Though the ship's original armaments are now little more than rotted ballista mounts, this area shows signs of recent activity, including intact shipping crates, a recently broken crate, a few boxes, and faint trails worn through the slippery vegetation growing over the deck. Wooden doors in finder condition than the rest of the boat stand to the north and south, but the stairs leading down now only lead into dark, scummy water...
There is a creature hiding behind one of the rotted ballista mounts...
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Sorry I'm late! I fell asleep on the massage table... a sheepish grin adorns the face of a young man with tattoos and tawny skin indicative of a Varisian, but with features blended in of Tian nature... If anyone is more familiar with the region, Minkai descent is evident.
The young man carries little in the way of weaponry, a mere dagger and is clad in soft brown leathers with straps and buckles aplenty. He deftly scrambles up the gangplank and joins the others...
...as the newcomer arrives over the gangplank and down the stairs, a splashing wave of salty water flops below, incidentally splashing onto Merilin's shoes/sandals...
Sense Motive
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When Merellin rejoins the party, he says, "I asked around about the whole Black Echelon thing. Apparently it's one of the many attempted sieges on Absalom, this time from Taldor. But I also heard from some fisherpeople that something's crept on board, and it can melt your skin off with its spit. So either we overwhelm it with brute force or simply don't startle it at all, I'd say."
He looks at his lit torch as it lights up half the room and winces.
"I think it knows we're here by now, so be on your guard."
Haohji @ Investigate
Horul @ Avoid Notice
Maneki @ Scout
Merilin @ Avoid Notice
Ramona @ Detect Magic
...from here, under the soft glow of Merellin's torch, the party decides between heading "forward" towards the or "back" towards the ...
...another wave of salty water claps, this time onto Maneki's shoes/sandals...
In stark contrast to the rest of the ship, this cabin has been somewhat cleared of algae and cleaned. Six simple beds, complete with fresh linens, are crammed into the space. A few small footlockers are shoved under some of the beds.
A pair of small crystals rolled into a rag at the bottom of one of the lockers!
Crafting or any Tradition Skill (DC 15)
...as the party searches the Crew Bunks, a hulking creature comes out of hiding from the canons and approaches to the door, pausing to seemingly evaluate the party, half poised to strike with it's massive tentacled arm, half poised to await some other reaction from the party themselves...
...the air hangs tense as each party member themself in turn make their own analysis of the creature too...
You judge the creature to be bored and in need of entertainment. It is most likely responsible for the crew bunks being neatly organized despite years of disuse by an actual crew. If you fail to appease it somehow, or make any sudden movements (moving, for example), it looks twitchy enough to attack!
You are unable to discern exactly what it wants, but you know enough to understand that the creature, if not appeased somehow, will attack to defend it's turf, and seems certainly capable of doing so!
You judge the creature to be bored and in need of entertainment. It is most likely responsible for the crew bunks being neatly organized despite years of disuse by an actual crew. If you fail to appease it somehow, or make any sudden movements (moving, for example), it looks twitchy enough to attack!
You judge the creature to be bored and in need of entertainment. It is most likely responsible for the crew bunks being neatly organized despite years of disuse by an actual crew. If you fail to appease it somehow, or make any sudden movements (moving, for example), it looks twitchy enough to attack!
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Merellin follows the rest to the back of the ship, but keeps an eye out at the door. When the creature pops out, he gives a yell in surprise, but sees that the creature is not (yet) hostile.
"No sudden moves," he whispers back to the party. "I think they're just curious, and bored. Think of something to distract them, and they'll leave us alone. I hope."
Merellin grabs a harmonica from a pocket and gives a musical rendition of a sea shanty.
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A small fungus leshy arrives, her faced veiled. She has just run to follow the others. "What do we have here?" she asks. "I am Krinolyn 'Veiled Lady' Styncorn, by the way." she introduces herself. She then looks at the creature blabbering incoherent words she does not understand. "What does it want?" she turns to her allies.
She then looks back at the creature.
"I thinks they just want to have fun with us..."
◆ Vibrant Thorns
Prepared Divine Spells (1st)
◆◆ Magic Weapon
◆◆ Bless
Prepared Divine Cantrips (1st)
◆◆ Chill Touch
◆◆ Daze
◆◆ Forbidding Ward
◆ Guidance
◆◆ Detect Magic
Cleric Font Heal
◆ to ◆◆◆ Heal
◆ to ◆◆◆ Heal
Shield and Trident
The hobgoblin waits unsure like the creature. He steps back to show he's not an enemy.
◆) Strike
◆◆) ??
It takes a swing at the closest PC - Merellin! - when suddenly...
"I believe it doesn't have bad intentions, but, is just looking for entertainment."
Ramona gets out her holy symbol (a puppet) and begins performing an act for the creature.
"Here is Banjo. He provides me with all my Divine spells!"
...it tilts it's head sideways instead, and starts to bob along, laughing at the the holy "Banjo" and jumping up and down and up and down in excitement, the toothy look of pure stupefaction cresting it's face.
It pulls it's punch at the last minute , and continues to stare at Ramona, looking as if to follow her wherever she goes!
With Ramona more-or-less under control of the beast, the party continues their search of the ship, entering the sleeping quarters of it's captain.
This cabin's floor has been cleared of the algae present everywhere else on the ship and a simple table has been set up in the center of the room, with a few chairs pulled around it. The aft wall bears a large carving of a coat of arms, visible even despite the wear of the elements. An antique lantern hangs above the carving, casting a faint light over papers strewn over the table...
Your training informs you that you needn't defeat the monster, as avoiding it, temporarily pacifying it, or scaring it off are all suitable in these circumstances.
Your training informs you that identifying the naval documents might grant valuable information for the Society's extensive historical records - you should endeavor to learn as much as you can!
Your training informs you that identifying the coat of arms is a piece of evidence your faction would need to verify in it's records the causes and outcomes of naval conflicts - you should endeavor to learn as much as you can!
...