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The adventure begins in the Events Hall of the Grand Lodge a few hours after midday, as the festivities are in full swing. The hallways are chock full of agents and guests filing in and out, jovially introducing themselves, discussing recent ventures, and swapping stories. In one of the offices of the Envoy’s Alliance faction lounge, you gather at the behest of Fola Barun (female halfelf ambassador). Fola and several other familiar agents are in the middle of undoing and resewing some gilded letters stitched onto a large green banner when you arrive. She momentarily stops her needlework to greet you.
Fola waves hello as she approaches. Once she arrives, she places hands together before her face. Thimbles cover the tips of all her plaster-bandaged fingers. I sincerely apologize for pulling you away from all the fun, but as you can see, we have something urgent to remedy. She nods in the direction of the green silk banner. One of the agents yelps, having stabbed themselves with a needle. The seamsters misspelled a crucial word and I only caught it this morning. Originally at this hour, I was scheduled to give a fellow Envoy’s Alliance member, Taiwalei, a guided tour of the Maze of the Open Road. Since I’m unable to part with my duties, however, I would like you all to act as his guide instead. Of course, this counts as a regular Pathfinder mission, so you will be compensated. It also shouldn’t take very long. I informed Taiwalei there’s an event here he must attend around late afternoon. You have three hours before the event starts. Once the time is up, you can all return to the ballroom in the Event Hall to join the party and consider your mission complete. Any questions?
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Before you stands a lean elf, almost dainty with sharp features. There is no hair on his head. He speaks intentionally, almost "at you" making two-way communication the exception. His eye contact seems to be almost looking "through" you, as if conducting some deep assessment of your intentions instead of letting you explain them.
He leans on a staff, listening to Fola's explanation but squinting dubiously at it.
Duties? He looks over the green banner then shrugs.
Sure, we can give a tour of the maze. When you say it won't take long, I'll assume it to be jinxed and something very unexpected will happen and make it take days. Months. Even years!
He chuckles at himself and then nods to Ulvard.
Greetings Ulvard. I am Voron!
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An strong tiefling joins the gathering, tiny flames licking at the ends of her hair and tail. Heavy stone armor fits her perfectly, and she moves effortlessly, even gracefully in it. "Greetings, Magima here. You've likely never heard of me unless you've been to the arenas of Varisia. Then maybe, it's not like I was a big deal yet."
After hearing the briefing, Magima remarks "Tour guide for someplace we've never been? I guess we'll mostly have top make sure this is entertaining!"
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A tall elven woman dressed in black and white robes walks in. Her elaborate hairstyle and haughty air clearly marked her as someone who thinks is important.
Ignoring her comrades she directly adresses Fola Barun.
Greetings Lady Barun, as you certainly know, I'm Eldryon Spearheaven. May the blessing of Nethys be upon you. What is the mission of the upmost importance that you need to personally give to me?
On her back a strange weapon looking like between an elaborate leaf and a spear, at her side a large book.
After she listen to their mission, she says for herself Getting into the Maze of the Open Road and giving a tour! That's amazing. That's more fun than the boring thing that's going on in the Grand Hall.
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A small iconic looking mushroom, iconic in the sense of a porous brown cap sitting on top of a stout stem, not so much in the sense that this fungus has eyes, arms, feet, and a pirate hat perched on top of their mushroom cap while carrying a backpack and a continuously dripping staff. "Hello I'm am Eddie, we've met!" They remove the pirate hat, bowing deeply to greet Fola once again, and then to the others of the group as they arrive.
"I would love to give a tour of this place you call a maze." They fall silent, trying to figure out just what this maze is, shrugging that technicality off and resuming their positive attitude "Taiwalei.. are they here?" Eddie stands on their tippy toes, looking around for a person they've never met in hopes to see a placard or something to help identify the person.
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Taiwalei is one of the Envoy’s Alliance’s most esteemed recruiters, and one of several recently promoted venture-captains. He comes from the eastern Okaiyo Ocean and is quite the accomplished seafarer. He is human, male, quite well-built and tan, as most seafarers are, and he should be easily identified by the traditional tattoos on his right shoulder and neck. Fola hesitates, Unless he’s decided to wear a tunic today. Let’s hope he’s still in his usual white sash.
As to where he is, we agreed to meet before the heads of Baphory’s Walk. Knowing him, he should have come this way when I didn’t show up on time, but there is quite a crowd to mingle with between the statues and here. So, he’s likely somewhere among the crowd. Fola smiles a little awkwardly. Maybe we planned too many distracting attractions during this event...
The Grand Lodge’s end of the Maze currently opens up in the Seeker’s Plaza, so that is your destination once you have located Taiwalei. There are portals to places on and off Golarion, and some guardian creatures about. But there are new sites to be found today. In recent years, there had been some trouble with portal instability, but that has since been repaired. Whenever the magical energy suffusing the maze surges, instead of disrupting existing portals, the maze now creates new portals. And such a surge occurred just this past week. This is why Taiwalei is so interested in exploring it further, you see. He loves diving the unknown as much as Calisro. As she steps away, the leader of the Horizon Hunter’s faction thus referenced sneezes and scratches her ear.
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Voron perks up when Eldryon mentions Nethys.
Oh! A proper elven woman. Well met Ms. Spearheaven. Blessings of Nethys on you too. May your arcane journey not end in his bifurcation and madness! He nods at her in respect.
As Fola's explanation proceeds, Voron sighs and rolls his eyes.
So... it seems you setup social traps for him to lose himself in. Very well, we shall retrieve him and proceed to the maze.
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Fola reminds you to buy and prepare any supplies they need now, as there is always the risk that stepping into a portal becomes a one-way trip. That said, Fola is confident that Taiwalei and you will find a way back in time for the surprise.
Roll Pathfinder Society Lore or Society to Recall Knowledge
Roll Arcana or Pathfinder Society Lore to Recall Knowledge
Also, do you have any further questions?
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Seeing the little mushroom cap, he realizes something. " I know those mushrooms eveywhere! You are from the Fangwood Forest!"
Eddie pauses and blinks at Tristan, nodding slowly, then vigorously at the Fangwood forest reference "Yes yes yes. We are many in the forest!" They smile and shake hands with the ysoki.
Eddie tries to remember Taiwalei's detailed description but facts tend to bounce off their spongy cap easily. "Ok, we will look for a big, tall tan man!"
Eddie tries to remember what was taught during Pathfinder training school.
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You also know Taiwalei became a Pathfinder Society agent while exploring Tian Xia with his cousins, having sailed there from their home islands in the eastern Okaiyo Ocean. He is known for generously offering free passage to those who wish to join the Society.
You also know that Forest King Narven did not, in life, pass much knowledge on about how to maintain the maze’s condition. The hedge maze thus declined after his death. The planar fabrics were frail in certain areas, which led to gradually worsening instabilities that have only
recently been resolved. Eliza Petulengro, a member of the Decemvirate that leads the Pathfinder Society, took point on the recent stabilization efforts.
You also know Taiwalei became a Pathfinder Society agent while exploring Tian Xia with his cousins, having sailed there from their home islands in the eastern Okaiyo Ocean. He is known for generously offering free passage to those who wish to join the Society.
You also know that Forest King Narven did not, in life, pass much knowledge on about how to maintain the maze’s condition. The hedge maze thus declined after his death. The planar fabrics were frail in certain areas, which led to gradually worsening instabilities that have only
recently been resolved. Eliza Petulengro, a member of the Decemvirate that leads the Pathfinder Society, took point on the recent stabilization efforts.
Other than being transposed from their previous entry and exit points, some of the portals of the maze have merged. This is particularly the case with portals to the various the elemental planes, likely the side effect of the Material Plane containing large amounts of all elements.
You also know Taiwalei became a Pathfinder Society agent while exploring Tian Xia with his cousins, having sailed there from their home islands in the eastern Okaiyo Ocean. He is known for generously offering free passage to those who wish to join the Society.
You also know Taiwalei became a Pathfinder Society agent while exploring Tian Xia with his cousins, having sailed there from their home islands in the eastern Okaiyo Ocean. He is known for generously offering free passage to those who wish to join the Society.
You also know that Forest King Narven did not, in life, pass much knowledge on about how to maintain the maze’s condition. The hedge maze thus declined after his death. The planar fabrics were frail in certain areas, which led to gradually worsening instabilities that have only
recently been resolved. Eliza Petulengro, a member of the Decemvirate that leads the Pathfinder Society, took point on the recent stabilization efforts.
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"Oh. We should find this man, I've heard of him.. and this maze!" Eddie starts shuffling off into the crowd asking along the way if anyone's seen Taiwalei.
"Hi, I'm Eddie. Have you seen a tall tan man named Taiwalei?" Can be heard repeated and repeated and repeated as the small fungus nimbly makes their way through the crowds.
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Taiwalei once fended off a megalodon by himself with his bare hands. The experience didn’t decrease his love for sharks, who he advocates are usually harmless.
As fort the Maze you also know that Forest King Narven did not, in life, pass much knowledge on about how to maintain the maze’s condition. The hedge maze thus declined after his death. The planar fabrics were frail in certain areas, which led to gradually worsening instabilities that have only recently been resolved. Eliza Petulengro, a member of the Decemvirate that leads the Pathfinder Society, took point on the recent stabilization efforts.
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I'm Eldryon Spearheaven, junior agent of the Society.
My comrades and I we are looking for a more senior agent, Talawei. He is a Venture-Captain, he is human from Tian, male, quite well-built and tan, has traditional seafarer tattoos on his right shoulder and neck. He could be dressed in a white sash.
May be with your keen sight, you've seen him during your mingling with other agents of the Society?
Says Eldryion
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Voron leans on his staff, and nods along with Eldryon's observation.
Yes... we were very thankful when you could repair the stargun on our returning it to its rightful home. Everything really worked out for the best there. Yes, we're looking for Taiwalei in this wretched sea of people! Perhaps you spied him at some point?
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As finding Taiwalei is not that easy as she though at the start, Eldryon decides to take time to review all the informations they have on him, and make him the target of her active investigation.
Thank you for your help Whiirii. says Eldryon with a bow towards the gunsmith and moves with her comrade the direction they give them.
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Nearly all of you succeed although Magima's 'meow' could be counted as a distraction assuming the Waterfall is a cat lover. Still, Once out of the situation, Taiwalei sighs in relief and thanks you for rescuing him from the scrutiny.
When you and Taiwalei arrive at the portal, four dozen agents step through from the sailing lodge, the Grinning Pixie, with an incredible amount of luggage and crates. While you wait for the crowd to pass, Taiwalei takes the brief waiting time to formally introduce himself and learn your names.
Taiwalei of the Eastern Okaiyo Ocean, pleasure to meet you all. The charming seafaring venture-captain gives a slight bow. I leave myself in your care! So, who are you all? What’ve have you done lately? Fola must be really impressed with your work to ask you to be my guides!