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Pathfinder,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’ve been working on possibilities on expanding the Pathfinder presence in Minkai, and I believe I have found an excellent location for a brand-new Pathfinder lodge. I have recently learned that a small island just off the coast of Sakakabe Province called Kayajima is potentially located on a favorable convergence of dormant ley lines. We have reason to believe that if we could restore the island’s power, it would be of great use in protecting any lodge we would establish. Not only that, but the island’s diplomatic location in relation to Minkai, Xidao, and the Forest of Spirits would be a great boon to expanding Society presence in the region. I’ve secured approval from Sakakabe’s provincial government for this mission, so you should encounter no difficulties in that regard.
I have spoken to my protege, Kukuha Mukai, and have requested her to meet you in Sakakabe proper to travel to Kayajima to see whether it would be a fitting location for a lodge. She’s somewhat an expert in the field of ley lines, so she’s the perfect person to oversee this endeavor. Kukuha will be your point of contact for this mission.
I’ve chartered a voyage from a former Pathfinder, Masuhei Okonase, who retired from the Pathfinder Society to become an oyster fisher. He still helps out the Society from time to time, and he’s a great asset to have in Sakakabe. He knows the waters around Sakakabe well and will be ready to transport you to Kayajima when you arrive.
Best of luck to you,
—Venture-Captain Fola Barun
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Sakakabe bustles on this clear, humid summer morning. The constant buzz of conversation and commerce echoes over the concentric terraces leading up the hillside from the town’s port. Wagons clatter their way across cobbled streets, their wares bound for export on waiting cargo ships. Oyster boats are returning to port from the north, their nets filled with the morning’s catch. The air smells of brine and seaweed. Fishers and merchants alike clatter across the pier, with shouted orders and affirmations traded from vessel to cart to street. Farther down, a beaming, older Minkaian man waves his burly, tanned arms from beside a rickety boat. “Ahoy there! Always good to see fellow Pathfinders in these parts. Name’s Masuhei Okonase, former Pathfinder agent and current oyster fisher extraordinaire! Good old Fola reached out and asked me to lend a hand, and I’m always happy to help out where I can.”
He winds some thick rope around his forearm slowly to bring the boat under more control as he talks.
“So, Fola tells me that you’re headed out to Kayajima to scout some ground for a new Pathfinder lodge? That’s quite exciting! We don’t get much Pathfinder activity in the area, and I’d love to see the Society have a more permanent presence here. Might even inspire me to pick up the old wayfinder again, ha!”
Drawing the boat close to the dock with a guiding foot, he smiles broadly.
“I’m ready to take you to Kayajima when you’re ready. If you need to pick up anything before we head out, the markets should have everything you could need. Just let me know when you’re ready to set sail.”
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Description of Czav (pronunced Chav): Tall and athletic, Czav is an imposing figure. His pale skin and elongated canines remind of his origins as much as his piercing grey eyes. His voice is deep and strangely charming, like those of his moroi ancestors.
He is in general clad in a plate armor covered with esoteric symbols, save from the helmet that he wears only during dangerous situations. The symbols are painted in gold and every morning Czav takes some time refreshing the oldest ones, meditatively. He also wears a two-handed sword and two rather strange gloves: The left-hand one is as black as the night while the right-hand one is white with golden linings.
While being a rare sight in this town, Czav doesn't seem bothered by all the passersby who stare at him surprised and avoid standing in his path. At least, he moves freely in the crowded street and gets to the old man easily.
"I'm Czav." is enough of an introduction. He then just nods at all the questions Masuhei asks until the last one: "I'm ready but we are supposed to be 6. Some haven't arrived yet."
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A dwarf with hair almost as red as Marigold's trundles up to the group. The hair on his head is worn loose and clearly not too well cared for, his hairline receding. His beard, however is quite well kempt and braided carefully. His eyes are already small and hidden under bushy eyebrows.
He seems a little unsteady on his feet and when mention of another boat is made, he grows pale, his eyes widening a bit and his nostrils flaring.
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A young and handsome Varisian male enters into the room. He is dressed in blue and black leathers with a pair of sturdy boots. He carries a few daggers and 2 light clubs on his back. He has a few pouches as well. He nods in greetings. I am Graeyson, acrobat and ranger he says, But more acrobat , he states with a smile.
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It'd been a while since Elsha travelled with all new Pathfinder companions. None of his old friends present. That's okay, always room for more!
A tall, slightly awkward Garundi man approaches. His hair and beard both seem "wispy", perhaps a little unkempt. His dark brown eyes are eerily almost completely black. As he strode you could hear the clattering of glass and other vials concealed in the inside pockets of his long, dark green coat.
He starts to introduce himself, halts, and then laughs sheepishly. Smiling warmly, as part of an attempt to start over, he tries again.
H-hello, I'm Elsha. I think I'm ready for the v-v-voyage!
He confidence vaguely picks up as he continues speaking.
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Czav speaks a bit about alchemy with Elsha and finishes with: "And don't hesitate to use your healing art on me, your elixirs will work. Actually..."
He turns to the rest of the party and speaks louder: "I forgot one thing: I'm rather resistant to spells, even impervious to some forms of magic. For you who are spellcasters, don't waste your beneficial spells on me, chances are high they will just fizzle uselessly. Similarly, the potions you have at your belts won't help me if I go down. Please use this one.", he says while showing the black potion with a poison symbol he wears at his belt.
"And... is any of you very close to divinity, even getting powers from them?"
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Once ready, Masuhei invites you aboard his ship.
"I call her the Auspicious Pearl." He intones as he pushes off from the dock and begins to set the modest sail.
The seas off the coast of Sakakabe are calm. The Auspicious Pearl smoothly cuts the gentle waves. Apart from the occasional squawk of a seabird, the only sounds are the wind and water against the vessel. "The voyage will only take a couple of hours." He sits down on his perch and guides the ship away from the city.
"Should be peaceful." He adds with a grin."At least until you get there, of course..."
Not long into the journey, his eyes go distant and he catches your view. He smiles wistfully. "My family’s oyster-harvesting business is booming, but I do still miss the adventuring lifestyle and enjoy hearing about the goings-on in other parts of Golarion."
His eyes turn back to the horizon. "Sometimes I still get that itch to travel the world, meet new types of people, and explore new places. You will be like me one day, gods willing."
He takes a moment to adjust the angle of the sail to better gather the meager wind.
"But tell me, I know you are young agents still, but have any of you had a remarkable adventure yet...?"
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Csav shares what he learned in the street: "Some guy told me the island is crippled with undead warriors. I don't know if he's right, though, he seemed quite drunk to me."
He then gets into the ship and listens quietly. He answers to the man's question by looking at Marigold, apparently interested by the bedtime story to come.
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When it comes time to get on the ship, Ulfgar heaves a soul deep sigh. After a moment's hesitation, he adjusts and pulls up his belt before marching aboard as though going to his execution.
He is as quiet once they're underway as he was when they were on dry ground. If anything, all his concentration seems focused on something going on internally.
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"Remarkable adventure, you say?" Tandang confirm he is hearing right. "The Society had this mission that explores the ruins of an ancient dwarven empire of Tar Khadurrn that was destroyed by the cataclysmic event called the Rending. We discovered a lot about what is underground, and it looks like there are more to discover." he shares to them.
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Csav shares what he learned in the street: "Some guy told me the island is crippled with undead warriors. I don't know if he's right, though, he seemed quite drunk to me."
He then gets into the ship and listens quietly. He answers to the man's question by looking at Marigold, apparently interested by the bedtime story to come.
Marigold takes Csav’s cue. ”Oh I heard there’s all kinds of nastiness out there”, she says, ”but we can handle it. This one time, we had to go to Razmiran to deal with these vampire attacks. You know what a bunch of jerkfaces those guys are. Anyway, so we’re looking for this vampire, but there’s also this vigilante we’re keeping an eye out for…”
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Before they board the modest vessel, Elsha gets his companions' attention and points at the stone walls that outline Sakakabe’s streets.
I re-recall they are etched with reliefs of ancient wa-warriors. These days, they are almost entirely hidden by m-modern architecture.
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On the boat...
Very predictably, Elsha very quietly listens to other stories and waits until there is no-one left to talk but him. Then he waits a little longer. When it's too awkward, he finally speaks up.
Once I traveled to Anactoria in southern Ustalav to investigate the sudden presence of Aspis Consortium agents. There, the t-t-townsfolk keep a bog mummy named the Maid of Anactoria. Visitors entreat it for he-healing and prophecy. I found it quite odd. Anyway, we were to investigate its disappearance and in a twist it turns out the Aspis Consortium hadn't st-stolen it. Local university student was going to trade it away and ex-export it. They were lured by the promise of additional bog mummies.
He shakes his head at their foolishness.
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Before they board the modest vessel, Elsha gets his companions' attention and points at the stone walls that outline Sakakabe’s streets.
I re-recall they are etched with reliefs of ancient wa-warriors. These days, they are almost entirely hidden by m-modern architecture.
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On the boat...Very predictably, Elsha very quietly listens to other stories and waits until there is no-one left to talk but him. Then he waits a little longer. When it's too awkward, he finally speaks up.
Once I traveled to Anactoria in southern Ustalav to investigate the sudden presence of Aspis Consortium agents. There, the t-t-townsfolk keep a bog mummy named the Maid of Anactoria. Visitors entreat it for he-healing and prophecy. I found it quite odd. Anyway, we were to investigate its disappearance and in a twist it turns out the Aspis Consortium hadn't st-stolen it. Local university student was going to trade it away and ex-export it. They were lured by the promise of additional bog mummies.
He shakes his head at their foolishness.
”Yikes! How many mummies do you need?”, asks Marigold.
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Czav feels he won't be able to get away without telling a story.
"I once faced an enormous centipede, 3 times my size easily. I charged it without a second thought, but the beast was swift and I didn't even reached it that it stroke me with its tail. The blow wasn't that hard, but the stinger... It was nasty. I felt the poison flowing through my veins as the vicious predator was already thinking about its diner. It was no time to complain or focus on the pain so I clenched my teeth and stroke with all my strength.
The creature managed to bite me but it failed at stopping my attacks. Very soon, my blade was finding a weakness in the chitin and piercing through its brain."
Czav takes a second to think and adds:
"Combat is not about strength, speed or training. It's a thirst. Violence is a state of mind."
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Masuhei soaks in all the stories with palpable relish. "It is amazing how much of a Pathfinder's career can be whittled down into those 30 seconds of glory at a time. I remember those times too. Once when I was younger, I was travelling on Society business deep into the fledgling Worldwound during the third crusade when we came upon a lone Glabrezu prowling the wilderness. It took all we had to fell the monster, but the sight of two of my good friends locked in the pincers of that beast will forever haunt my nightmares."
The conversation continues for the rest of the uneventful voyage to the nearby island.
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Kayajima's verdant forest and single tall mountain come into sharper contrast as the Auspicious Pearl nears the island. Masuhei docks at a rock pier in the southeast "Well, this is farewell -- for now. I'll be back to pick you up tonight, then we can drink and sup some oyster soup when we return to Sakakabe."
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Ulfgar gets off the boat as quickly as possible, barely sparing the time to give a little wave of thanks to their boatman.
He keeps his back toward the water, looking over the island with eyes that are barely visible within the craggy folds of his eyelids and eyebrows.
But he does not rush off alone, seeming to have plenty of patience to wait for his fellow Pathfinders now that he's on solid ground.
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“Oh right, you were supposed to meet up with her here. I ferried her out to Kayajima a couple days ago. She decided that she wanted to head out early to spend some time getting familiar with the island’s geography.”
Masuhei scratches his head. “Hmm, I believe you should be headed to the fortress, which isn’t too far inland from here. At least that’s what Kukuha said when I dropped her off. Should be a pretty straight shot, if I’m not mistaken.”
The old Pathfinder points out the path, which is just a bit farther inland from the rock pier where the Auspicious Pearl just docked.
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Up the rocky pier and farther inland, a path winds into a stretch of cedar trees. The forest is tranquil, and the path, although partially overgrown with ground foliage, remains clear beneath the dense canopy. The ground is packed dirt and pine needles. An occasional rustle of leaves or flapping of wings break the silence. The air smells of rich earth and peat.
This first stretch of forest is relatively easy to navigate. As you travel, you spot small birds flitting through the air, rabbits scurrying to burrows, and other mundane wildlife eking out an existence in the forest.
As you enter a particular clearing, however, the serenity of the forest is interrupted by the violent sound of onrushing hooves that echo amongst the trees...
Graeyson
Marigold
Red Boar
Tandang
Elsha
Orange Boar
Ulfgar
Czav
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Graeyson sets his sights as the gnome's blast rocks the boar. Undaunted, the beast charges forward, careening into the rogue at full force and following up with a powerful rut.
Graeyson <orange hunted prey>
Marigold -46 damage
Red Boar -11 damage
Tandang
Elsha
Orange Boar
Ulfgar
Czav 1 damage <moderate fire energy mutagen>
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Tandang conjures a seed and throws it on the soil that sprouts magically into a tree.
◆◆◆ Cast a Spell, Verdant Sprout (1st) (AC 10, Hardness 5, and 20 Hit Points)
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Tandang increases the forest ever so slightly while Elsha launches a pair of bombs that miss to various degrees. The other boar launches forward and mauls the ranger.
Red Boar -15 damage
Tandang
Elsha
Orange Boar
Ulfgar
Czav 1 damage <moderate fire energy mutagen>
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Graeyson -31 damage <orange hunted prey>
Marigold -22 damage
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With a whirl of blades, Ulfgar digs into the boar. Czav moves to a flanking position and plunges his greatsword into its thick hide, but finds only minimal success. Graeyson swings and retreats from the formidable foe that struck him.
Red Boar -47 damage
Tandang
Elsha
Orange Boar -13 damage
Ulfgar <red hunted prey>
Czav 1 damage <moderate fire energy mutagen>
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Graeyson -31 damage <orange hunted prey>
Marigold -22 damage