Who is ready to get tested?
May I use a pre-gen?
May I use a pre-gen?
Yes, you may
Anyways! We’ll start in a few hours! In the meantime, here’s the starting point, to get everyone ready!
The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.”
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.
“But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farbellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix,” he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach. She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on
your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances
in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.” Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
Alright, folks! Please ask any questions you have, about the mission, while introducing yourselves, formally!
[dice=Knowledge(History) take 10]10+11
[dice=If taking 10 is not ok]d20+11
Aoi start browsing her Pathfinder Chronicles for more information that she might be able to provide for the team.
Aoi Resenthal remembers an incredible amount of detail, and began explaining about the Gillmen!
(15+) “Also known as Low Azlanti, the Gillmen are believed to by the descendants of the Ancient Azlanti people.”
(20+) “During the Earthfall, the empires of Thassalon and Azlant were split apart; it is believed that the Gillmen survived by an aquatic deity’s blessing, allowing the to become amphibious.”
(25+) “It is also believed by scholars that the Gillmen were associated with the terrifying Aboliths, though such an alliance have since fallen apart. The Gillmen now as an independent group.”
Everyone remembers that, in the center of the Island of Kortos, lies the Kortos Mounts, a mountain range.
“Okay, then! Since you all know so much!”
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!”
“At 24 years old, and 2’10”, I am the oldest of seven siblings! My father raised me in Eastport, where he still employs dogs to help him move shipping and store containers to homes & businesses. I originally enrolled to the Pathfinder Society for the various delicious foods out there, only to find my knack for spells quite handy & fun! I am great with a crossbow, and hope to one day get published in a Pathfinder Society Chronicles volume, so I may inspire others!”
It is at this Point that Janira realizes everyone has introduced themselves informally, and decides to take a different route, in the future introductions.
“I see we all know each other, already. But let’s see more! Why did you all join the Pathfinder Society?”
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"I joined to continue exploring this nice corner of the world we all live in. So far I've only sailed the Sellen river a few times, but whenever I tried to explore anything on dry land I noticed that it's kind of impossible to go alone for more than a few hours... on a sunny Toilday later on, I served as a river guide to a small team of Pathfinders, and I was sold! everyone on the boat knew their craft, what they were good at, and knew how to pitch in to get the job done. I want to be part of this big ol' brotherhood and sisterhood that makes up the society and see where the wind takes us!"
“Excellent! Anyone else?”
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"There is a great co-op program with the Arcanamirium and the Pathfinder Society. Students have the opportunity to practice their arcane skills in real world situation and get field experience by becoming Pathfinder agents, and the rewards from the adventures help out paying the tuition as well. That's why I'm here. I'm looking forward to unlock th mystery that's the arcane magic, and study the difference between different magic users."
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At this point a black leather wearing catfolk enters the bar. She looks around. Then sniffs around. Then heads over to the table.
She smiles, heavy thick glasses perched on her snout, ”I thought I smelled pathfinders here. Hopefully it will be a glorious battle... of uh... discovering new things and uh... avoiding conflict unless forced into it. Yeah.” She scratches at her neck, fur ruffling a bit before she absentmindedly brushes it back into place.
”So anyway, names Cannoli. Last name Jones. Yes, I am related to the famous Jones Orchard family. No I’m not interested in the family business. Adventure! Battle! Awesome steel clashing against steel! Glorious Combat! And also learning things and stuff, of course. I’m sure plenty of interesting things will be discovered.”
She flops down at the table, metal spiked studs clinking against other metal spiked studs all over her leather clothing and accessories. ”I can’t see very far, so I’ll not be a good scout. But everything else I’m pretty amazing at.”
Perfect! Sounds like everyone is here for some excitement! Well, I hope to provide you all with some, soon!
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From outside there is singing in a male voice.
"I come from the land of the ice and snow"
"From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow"
When he steps inside he certainly looks like someone who is from the Land of the Linnorm Kings. He's dressed in furs and carries a large sword.
I am Steppin Wolf
And I want ALE!
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Once he has his ale, Steppin Wolf is only too happy to oblige.
Brothers of the mine rejoice!
Swing, swing, swing with me
Raise your pick and raise your voice!
Sing, sing, sing with me
Down and down into the deep
Who knows what we'll find beneath?
Diamonds, rubies, gold and more
Hidden in the mountain store
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Interesting choice of outfit - not sure if those are supposed to be armor spikes? But certainly confident in their abilities and eager to prove themselves in battle. I like them.
"Well met, Cannoli." Newt offers a hand to shake.
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When Steppin Wolf arrives, the oread looks him up and down, not sure if he should take this loud human seriously.
Great, a boisterous one. I hope he isn't like this all the time, that would be very annoying... However, the sword looks as it is in use regularily, and the man himself certainly looks strong - maybe even stronger than I. Let's see how he fares in combat...
With a blank expression Newt nods briefly at the newly arrived Pathfinder.
“Alright, then! Here you all go!”, says Janira, as she hands parchment to each bundles of participant. “These are your Adventurer journals! Record your adventures with these! It’s part of your role, as a Pathfinder Society Member! Now, then….”
“On to the details of the mission at hand,” Janira says with an eager grin. “After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there.
“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
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Cannoli leans down to check her pack, rummaging through it a bit. She counts something and then pops up, "Any time to hunt on the way? I can do three days on rations if not. That should work fine. They aren't the best, but a mission on a timetable means sacrifices can be made."
Turning to the tattooed question asker she gives a cheshire grin, "Ain't nothing out there won't be more scared of me.... er, us. Probably."
”To answer everyone’s questions! This place is full of monster vying for territory. Centaurs to to the lower regions, Minotaurs in the higher parts of the mounts, and harpies in the icy peaks. But with luck, we can avoid them. We will likely have to hunt for food, along the way, as it will take about 3 days on foot, to get there. Now, then! How about we get moving?”
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Actually I meant, what is infinite magic?
”Ah, a common question. Infinite means never limited and unending. Or so I’ve been told. So other than the four per day limit, it’s unlimited!”
She is quite happy with her answer and stands to leave, ”Alright! Three day journey and we will arrive tomorrow night. Math checks out, lessgo!”
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”To answer everyone’s questions! This place is full of monster vying for territory. Centaurs to to the lower regions, Minotaurs in the higher parts of the mounts, and harpies in the icy peaks. But with luck, we can avoid them. We will likely have to hunt for food, along the way, as it will take about 3 days on foot, to get there. Now, then! How about we get moving?”
"Hopefully we don't meet centaurs: it is said that they are hideous creatures with the head of horse and the naked lower parts of a gigantic Ulfen man!"
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”Ooh, a wand would be a good idea. I forgot mine at home tho, but it’ll be fine. I can cast infinite magic four times a day.”
Newt offers his wand of CLW to Cannoli.
”It's dangerous to go alone. Take this!”
”Here, until we finish the mission. I cannot use it myself, anyway.”
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”Looks like it's time to get moving.”
He picks up his stuff, ready to leave.
Janira offers one last thing, ”Anyone wanting to buy anything else? After all, splash weapons are advised, in the area we are going.”