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Please Dot and Delete here, this game is FCFS with sign-ups on the spreadsheet.
We begin on September 4th.
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The Pathfinders have gathered in the city of Segada at the behest of Zarta Dralneed. You travelled far to the Skyrise Lodge where you are meeting Venture-Captain Rahaksenwe.
"Please, introduce yourselves. My name is Rahaksenwe the Venture-Captains here. This is my friend Uanae Deepsky, an esteemed member of the government who has graciously given us their time today."
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A kobold with silvery scales and a bow that seems too large for his frame rushes towards the rest of the group. "Am I late? I'm usually late. But maybe first this time? Tooth came out much easier this time, and less screaming!"
He flicks a razor open and closed inattentively as he continues, "I am Tieri. I will care for your medical and grooming needs on this trip." He lowers his voice slightly, "...and maybe dentistry? If it comes up. Just need to ask."
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A jovial half-orc, unarmed and clad only in robes, comes rushing in. "Sorry to be late, sorry to be late! Wouldn't you know that the evening prayers ran long *again*! But here I am, better late than never I hope you'll suppose, and ready to do my best in your service, of that you can have no doubt! Tai Ghee they call me over here, on account of my birth name bein' a jaw breaker, I can't deny it, but then that's how orc mamas show their love, and after how papa broke her heart - " an uncharacteristic scowl crosses the monk's face - "well, I guess it's no wonder she carried a wee orc grudge an' taught me the fine arts of fighting before she sent me to get some discipline and perfect them fighting arts, which I can't say as I've quite *perfected* 'em, but I sure do like to practice 'em!"
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Movyu Tazzot regards the assembling team with a cocked head and an unblinking stare for a second, the black feathers of her neck ruffled awkwardly where they meet the top of her armor, which has an assortment of pipes and tubing running from all extremities back to a series of apparatus set into the chest and back that look like illustrations from some particularly poor quality Ustalabvan penny dreadful. "And I'm Movyu. I'm more of an expert on machinery than Mahweks..." she pauses and glances at Tai Ghee, "or monasteries, but you'd be surprised how much that seems to come in handy!"
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A goblin dressed in a dark trenchcoat and a very wide brimmed fedora walks in. A closer look shows that his coat has far too many pockets bulging with far too many things.
"Greetions all. I am Lohco, goblin scholar and gambler extrodinare. I am a specialist in knowledge of all types, and I am happy to lend my expertise to this endevor."
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A tanned halfling with a shaggy mess of black hair stumbles into the gathering. Though turned around and possibly a little hungover, the halfling still carries himself with a certain loveable charm. Stopping and straightening himself, he bows before the group.
"Sorry to keep everyone waitin'; they call me "Lucky" Lucky Waterfield, an entertainer, but it seems my luck's run out this time. Maybe after tonight I'll finally learn not to sample every inn in the city before a mission," he adds with a bratty grin.
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Rahaksenwe nods in acknowledgement.
“Welcome to Segada. Don’t get too distracted by the crowds. If you do your job well, you’ll have all the time you like to explore.”
“Or get hopelessly lost.” Uanae chimes in.
“Or get hopelessly lost.” Rahaksenwe repeats, before getting down to business.
“The archives in Absalom have found a star gun, a relic of great power, that was stolen from Arcadia. We’ve been told stories of one such gun that was stolen from these lands many years ago, which matches the description. Only differences are that it’s broken and branded with Chelaxian sigils. There are rumors of someone who can repair the star gun in the interior of Arcadia. The only issue is they don’t allow non-Arcadians past Segada without permission. We’ve taken the liberty of arranging your meeting with the Segadan Council and you’ll need to convince them your mission is worth their approval, and that the Society should be granted access into the interior of Arcadia.”
“The people waiting for you are Tekawenda, the Peacekeeper Captain, Ojiham and Skawahann, the two high councilors, and Wanakeena, the mayor.” Uanae explains.
“Your organization’s presence here has been... contentious. In every house I’ve been in I’ve heard a different opinion. The Segada Protocol is meant to protect our land from outside invaders. Some will say that letting in an Avistani organization of explorers would be a breach of that. What you do here will set a precedent for both your people and ours. Let’s hope it turns out for the best, hmm?”"
Rahaksenwe coughs. “I’m sure everything will work out fine. You’re here for a good cause, and you carry a good reputation. The council has provided you with lodgings for your stay.”
Uanae chimes in once more. “They really seem to want to impress you. The council paid for you to have rooms in The Seeker’s Rest, one of the most luxurious taverns in town.
It’s usually full of important-sounding people, and Awade always makes sure they’re well fed.”[/b]
Rahaksenwe narrows her eyes at Uanae before she continues. “We’ll guide you to them once your meeting is completed. And remember, the star gun is an important and powerful relic. Only the Society and the Segadan Council know we have it. Do your best to keep its existence secret. Now, before you head off, do you have any questionsfor us?”
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"If outsiders never go in past Secada, people will want to know what we're trying to do... If we don't want them to know about the star gun and who we're really looking for, we should tell them something else. If we don't say anything, or the things we say don't match, we'll seem even more suspicious than we already do... So is there a cover story for anyone we talk to who isn't on the council?"
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Tieri briefly has an image in his head of a gun that shoots ★s★t★a★r★s★ before refocusing on the task at hand. "What things impress councilors? What makes them mad? They keep their teeth in good condition?"
Rahaksenwe speaks up.
“Be honest about your mission. You’re here to restore and return a stolen relic, and simply need a guide to reach the one who can restore it. As long as you can convince them that’s your only motive, I can’t see why they wouldn’t let you through the mountains.”
"If outsiders never go in past Secada, people will want to know what we're trying to do... If we don't want them to know about the star gun and who we're really looking for, we should tell them something else. If we don't say anything, or the things we say don't match, we'll seem even more suspicious than we already do... So is there a cover story for anyone we talk to who isn't on the council?"
"Oh yes, please keep the information about your journey with the council unless they say otherwise. As far as a cover story, I will leave that to you. I believe most people will keep to themselves and ogle at the strange visitors."
Lohco nods at Tieri's questions. "Also, would it be useful to wear specific clothing for the meeting? Some cultures treat people in foreign dress differently. It could also be a matter of dressing to the local weather conditions."
"I think you are dressed just fine! Once you get permission from the council perhaps you could visit local clothiers." she adds, looking at the group expectantly for any other questions.
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Both Lucky and Movyu recall some information about the Segada Protocol that determines the restrictions on foreigners.
The Segada Protocol was agreed upon by multiple Arcadian nations to protect the continent from exploitation. It limits the actions Avistani nations can take on Arcadian soil, most notably preventing colonization and controlling access to the interior.
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Movyu was able to gather some information on the Peacekeeper Captain of Segada, Tekawenda.
Tekawenda thinks the Pathfinder Society would be a strong asset to in Segada’s protection. She believes the presence of Pathfinders in the city will aid in its security, and that a prominent Avistani organization following the processes and procedures of Arcadia will provide further international legitimacy to the Segada Protocol.
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As the group finishes up with their questioning they are directed towards the main path through town as the route to the council chambers. However, a crowd of quiet Segadan blocks the main street, becoming louder once they notice newcomers. A few members in the crowd begin to boo. Some tauntingly wave torn Chelaxian flags while others brandish buckets of red paint. Their booing is soon accompanied by shouts of “Our land, not Avistan’s!” and “Keep your swords off our shores!”
Every step forward seems to only antagonize them further, whipping up until their shouts and jeers echo between the alleys. From the crowd, a small, aged woman steps forward. “You’d best turn around. We know our paths already and even if we didn’t, we certainly wouldn’t need your help finding them.”
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"Ah--do forgive us, my lady-ssu!" Lucky clasps his hands together and gestures with a quick bow toward the old woman. "I assure you, our motives are pure as can be-ssu! We are here to admire and study your land, so that people back in Avistan will learn not to treat it as some mysterious uncharted territory waiting to be claimed. It is a goal very-very-beneficial to both of our peoples, should you gracefully provide us your hospitality-ssu!"
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The woman scoffs at Lohco but turns her head as Lucky talks.
"This isn’t the first time Avistan has tried to encroach on our lands. Anchor’s End, Canorus, Elsomare. All cities founded by Avistani nations, beholden to powers beyond our shores. All of them bringing stories of mistreatment and mistrust.”
She gestures to the crowd.
“We have many stories of how Cheliax has harmed us. Stories of people stealing heirlooms to bring back home. Of people calling themselves adventurers and trying to sneak past the mountains. Where is it that your Society is based, eh? Absalom? Even if you’re not from there, you carry their slogans and their symbols. How do we know that you won’t turn those swords against us if Absalom calls for it? How do we know that you’ll honor your agreements today?”
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Movyu is a bit taken aback at the throng, but does her best to give calm answers, "Our main lodge is in Absalom, but our society is further stretched than that, and a lot less beholden to any nation's banner. There are lodges all across Avistan, sure, but other Pathfinders and other lodges are there across Garund and Casmaron and Tian Xia. We would hardly be the ones to carry a flag forward, and honestly, the whole thing might fall apart if someone tried to make such a far flung group serve a crown, council or whatever other government, that way."
She looks over and waves toward the "Keep your swords off our shores" sign "And sure, I do carry a blade when I travel, in case of the dangers of the road..." then half-turns to gesture around at the small group, "but none of us came with an army to force our way in if our request is refused. And sure, you don't know me or my family to think you know if I can be trusted to keep my word. That's only fair. But you know your council, right? I would hope you can trust them to recognize a liar, and respect them enough to let them take their measure of us."
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Tai Ghee keeps quiet for once, realizing that this mission requires just the sort of diplomatic subtlety and understanding of cultural nuance that he utterly lacks. Though he does his best to look meditative in case any of the crowd are spiritually inclined, even though the abbot was always quick to remind him that he had flunked out of meditation class for unseemly brawling three times.
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The woman takes a moment to process the words of the Pathfinders, thinking deeply.
"My name is Kwari, a former councilor. I can trust them and if I can trust you will be shown through action. Prove to us that you can be our allies. That your ‘adventurers’ won’t search through the homes of our cousins for trinkets and relics like Cheliax has. Once you have done that, we may consider letting you pass.” she says, softening slightly as she looks back to the crowd behind her.
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Lohco just gets a rather frustrated head turn but Movyu appears to break the silence.
"Alright, I will show a shortcut around the crowd. Where we can talk in more private." Kwari says as she ushers the Pathfinders to a nearby side alley, any stragglers from the protest stepping out of the way. Once they arrive she beckons them closer.
"As a former council member, perhaps you would be willing to share with me what your mission entails and what you are seeking the council on?"
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The Pathfinder's refrain from sharing more of their mission to the dismay of Kwari. She shakes her head, "I still wonder why Uanae sings your praises but perhaps you will change all of our minds. I will try to calm the crowd."
She slowly walks away.
As she walks away, a few of the group notice two iridescent spider's descending in the alley followed by two foxes with color-shifting coats.
The small green spider quickly turns the corner, spraying web at the closest Pathfinder.
The tengu nearly deflects the web into a nearby wall, but is covered in the sticky substane.
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COMBAT Round 1: Bold may go.
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Tieri
Tai Ghee
Maurice/Kas
Lohco
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Lohco identifies the creature's vulnerabilities , the creature is a Dream Spider who has venom that can leave foes stupefied. However, you recall that the creature has no inherent weaknesses of it's own.
Tai Ghee narrowly misses the spider with his fists.
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The second spider rushes up to Tai Ghee with fangs bared, aiming to inject it's venom into the monk.
The monk's stance let's him deflect the blows with little difficulty.
One fox rushes forward to bite at Tai Ghee as the second disappears around the building before leaping at the monk.
The first barely misses but gives the second just enough of an opening to sink it's teeth into his arm, but it lacks the strength to dig in deep.
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COMBAT Round 1: Bold may go.
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Lucky
Movyu (Immobilized/DC 18 to escape.)
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Movyu strains and pulls against the web
Pulling free, she grabs for her own weapon. Lifting a latched panel on the side of her armor, she hurriedly twists at a series of valve cranks, causing the piping running from her backpack out to her extremities to begin to glow faintly woth carried heat as the stored phlogiston begins to circulate.
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As soon as Lucky realizes what's happening, his lute begins strumming a familiar tune on itself, a hearty halfling folk song.
"Pathfinders, let's show them we can hold our own and protect those in need!"
He follows that up by channeling his magic into a large pebble or loose piece of pavement, which he send flying at the yellow spider.
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Movyu quickly works to pull herself free and masterfully begins pushing her equipment to new heights.
Lucky also wastes no time emboldening his allies with a perfectly composed tune and then sends a paving stone crashing into the yellow spider with a loud crunch, breaking some of the chitinous shell. The yellow spider begins to waver before baring it's fangs once again.
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The first bite makes it past Tai Ghee's defenses and he begins to feel the venom coursing through his veins but fights off the effects.
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COMBAT Round 2: Bold may go.
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Active Effects:
Inspire Courage-
You and all allies in the area gain a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects.
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Tai Ghee shrugs off venom of the spider but can't connect his blows but Lohco's dogslicer carves through the chitin thanks to their emboldened courage, felling the yellow striped dream spider.
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COMBAT Round 2: Bold may go.
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Active Effects:
Inspire Courage-
You and all allies in the area gain a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects.
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Tieri quickly snaps to focus and riddles the remaining spider with arrows, causing it to waver but it just manages to stay upright.
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The two foxes leap into their closest targets with fangs barred. The red furred one lashing out at Lohco and the blue for Maurice.
Both foxes connect with their first bite but flail around without effect after.
The remaining spider attempts to fire a sticky web at Tieri then rush over the wood pile to close the distance to the kobold.
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COMBAT Round 2 & 3: Bold may go.
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Active Effects:
Inspire Courage-
You and all allies in the area gain a +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects.