As the sun sits still low in the sky this Abadian morning the Grand Lodge is already full of life. As the headquarters of the Pathfinder Society - a global fellowship of adventurers, explorers, historians, and thrill-seekers that has membership in the thousands - agents and support staff are hard at work all across the campus. And nowhere in the Lodge is busier than Skyreach. The tower that is the central hub of the Grand Lodge stretches up to the sky, each floor filled with meeting rooms, offices, and archives.
One meeting room in particular is where we focus on this morning, as each of you has been summoned to meet here. And despite your relative inexperience so far, you are set to meet with none other than the three deans of the Pathfinder Society: leaders who help oversee the training and preparation of all new recruits and aspirants!
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Jortix walk through the full corridors, for the most part she would see backs and sometimes legs of other people there, a charm of being 3 ft tall gnome. Her dark hair was falling on her face and her adventurer cloth was of dakr colors, on her shoulder sit a raven that even bumped would move to the side but never move. She spotted one of her fellow agents in training and she adjusted her path to 'bump into them', few inches away her Raven made a sound startling the new agent and Jortix with swift hands stole a handkerchief.
Smiling like a childe Jortix took a turn to see an human with glowing eyes and a goblin in nice armor alongside a large wolf.
"Oh, hello I am Jortix, at your service. I must say that this is my first mission and I am dying from excitment."
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A woman with short, straw-blonde hair and sharp, discerning eyes with irises that resembled gold pieces in shape and hue. She was dressed in a somewhat unassuming - though rather loose on her frame - white tunic and snug but sturdy leather trousers that would have given her more an air of a teamster than an adventurer if not for the reinforced sleeves that covered her shoulders and ran down her arms like long gloves; and the thigh boots that were clearly designed to take more punishment than day to day labor. To say nothing of the large shield and sheathed sword slung over her shoulder alongside her backpack.
"Cordelia Maxwell reporting in." She stated, giving a salute to the dean and a cordial if not somewhat overly familiar two-finger wave to who she assumed would be her travel companions for whatever mission she'd been called in for her first run, before moving to clear the doorway for whoever might follow in behind her.
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Replying to Jortix a voice says: We don't want to die! Oh no no no. We don't want.
Then the Shisk looks at him with a bit fear leaning on his spear which has some feathers of unknown birds along the pole. His deep tanned skin and his quills tells his ancestry for the ones who already met them. A leather armor is more common for the others.
Still doubtful he introduces himself nevertheless. We are Rinshu. Wanderer from the Mwangi.
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A Ulfen woman in her twenties, Vikka has strides into the room, her familiar always close, floating around. Her ash-gray hair, like wisps of enchantment, cascades down her shoulders and over her robes. Vikka moves with purpose, every step almost echoing a distant whisper of something unknown. Her hazel eyes dance through the air as she takes notice of everyone in the room.
"Hello everyone. I'm Vikka and the little one is Yagan, does anyone know why we've been summoned here today?" she asks.
"I would be delighted to." an airy voice responds to Vikka's question from the hallway.
As your heads turn to look three individuals enter the spacious meeting room. First through the doorway is a male elf, garbed in fine red robes with gold embroidery enters first. He is followed woman with snow- white hair and a cluster of multicolored gems orbiting her head, laden with books. Finally, a bald human male with a bushy beard smiles widely and then curses to himself as the array of weapons along his back get stuck in the doorframe. These three are the deans of the Pathfinder Society: Kreighton Shaine, the elf Master of Scrolls; Sorrina Westyr, the oread Master of Spells; and Marcos Farabellus, the human Master of Swords.
Kreighton takes the empty seat at thehead of the table, while Sorrina takes an adjacent seat to his side. Marcos half-jogs to join his colleagues, but after a few seconds of awkwardly trying to seat himself and his panoply of back-mounted weapons, he pushes his chair in and stands behind it with a wide, if apologetic, grin. “Regrets for the sudden nature of this meeting." Kreighton continues with the same light tone from before. [b]"I’ll try to be brief. One of our most...enthusiastic Pathfinder initiates, a fungus leshy by the name of Rain in Cloudy Day, was recently approved for his Confirmation. It was a mission to the nearby nation of Taldor to search for some ruins in a swamp near the city of Cassomir. Standard fare for a Pathfinder mission, but Rain hasn’t reported back, and it’s been a week since his expected check-in.”
Sorrina Westyr extends a hand. This is where you come in. Even though Rain in Cloudy Day is still an initiate, the Pathfinder Society doesn’t leave its own behind. Us three masters have agreed that a special exception is necessary. For those of you who haven’t finished your own Confirmation, she looks around a bit puzzled as she takes in the agents before her. which perhaps may just be you Jortix Marcos I had thought you had said you were gathering neophytes we’re willing to offer each of you a place in a group Confirmation. We’ll provide a stipend of gold for you to book your passage to Cassomir, and from there, you’ll need to find out what happened to Rain.
Waterfall was nabbing everyone around for her little gala the over-packed man whispers back to his colleague before clearing his throat. Looking at you all with a smile Marcos Farabellus grins and chuckles *Ahem* Yes. Exactly what my associates have just said. Find a boat, head to Cassomir, enjoy a bit of the city’s livelier elements, and then head into the swamps to find our missing initiate. Of course, if you find little Rain alive and well... then you can really prove yourselves by helping him discover those ruins and finish his own Confirmation!
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"Fer what it's worth, past experience outside the Society not-withstanding, I'm a bit of a newbie as well." Cordelia chimed in as Sorrina took a head count of the initiates in the group, "That said, a truffle hunt sounds simple enough... Or so I'd like to say, but I suppose we wouldn't be here if it were." She hummed standing back upright from her position leaning against the wall, "That said, I half hope all that happened was the poor fella just found a nice rotten log or something to take root in and got distracted." A wry half smile flickered across her face for a moment before drifting away again.
"Well, it's a swamp." She states in response to Rinshu's question, "So I imagine snakes, gators, bugs and other such nasties... Bandits... The terrain itself likely, never know when you might step in some quicksand." the prior goodnatured joking tone in her voice dissipated as she went over the potential hazards she knew off the top of her head, becoming rather serious and matter-of-fact... Before promptly reverting back, as if catching herself, as she added, "Hope everyone has a good pair of boots for this."
Marcos nods proudly as he hears Cordelia give some thoughts on potential swamp hazards. Not too shabby! Yes, Blackwood Swamp surrounds Cassomir on all landward sides. It’s a rotting marshland that’s filled with dense overgrowth, quicksand, giant carnivorous plants, monsters, and all sorts of other lovely things. The perfect place for Pathfinders to prove themselves!
As for Rain in Cloudy Day, or Rain as he's sometimes called Sorinna adds He is a recent Pathfinder initiate. It is possible you may have seen him about the lodge: he is a leshy, a spirit granted a plant body by powerful magic. I beleive he came to us from the forests around Ravounel. Rain's choice of Confirmation mission was tied to his research. He had uncovered evidence of ruins in Blackwood that may date back to the time of the ancient Azlanti Empire. The Azlanti civilization effectively ended when a swarm of meteors descended on our planet in an event known as Earthfall. But these ruins, if they are indeed present, were likely built by Azlanti who survived the event, and are possibly 6,000 years old, or older.
At Vikka and Jortix's questions about the travel arrangements, Kreighton Shaine puts down his book and digs around in his pockets. The elf eventually produces a pouch that jangles as he sets it on the table. "Ah, yes. Rain chartered a vessel from Absalom to Cassomir. He was to check in at the Three-Legged Frog, an inn in the city’s Imperial Naval Shipyards district. From there, he was going to have a guide lead him into the adjacent Blackwood Swamp to start searching for the ruins. That is his filed itinerary at least. We haven’t heard back anything from him since he left here."
"In there should be sufficient funds to arrange for travel for you to Cassomir. Any leftovers I'd imagine could be useful for you to acquire news of Rain in Cloudy Day once you're in the city."
Joritx and Cordelai are unfamiliar with Casomir and its envrions but Rinshu has heard a few things about the place. Cassomir is the second-largest city in Taldor, though most of its people mostly live in squalor. In addition to widespread poverty the port city also faces a major crime problem. Con artists or desperate citizens seeking to eke out another few weeks of living often take advantage of foreigners who don’t realize how desperate things are within the city.
As for the swamp itself outside the city, there is a group of aggressive xulgaths routinely attack those who infringe on their 'territory' in the Blackwood Swamp. These scaled humanoids capture those they find within the swamp and sacrifice them to their cruel deities.
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"I've got a few things I want to pick up before we head out but it shouldn't take too long." Cordellia states before standing herself back upright, give a nod and salute to the deans, "If there's nothing else that needs covering then I'll go take care of that and catch up with you guys at the docks."
Of course. Rain has already been gone some time, so departing today would be best, but heading out unprepared yourselves would be its own recipe for failure. Sorinna Westyr agrees.
In addition to your own purchases or preperations , the Master of Spells hands your group two minor healing potions, while Shaine hands over a wayfinder - "To help you in navigation on your journey."
Marcos meanwhile slides an everburning torch across the table. Then, almost as an afterthought, he pulls out and lobs two vials towards you. Here! Catch!
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Cordelia shifts as the bottles tumble through the air, tensing and readying to move to catch one only to relax as the others seem to have it covered, instead taking one of the offered healing potions only to pause at the door once more, glancing back at the group, "Oh, and if anyone gets hurt out in the field, be sure to let me know. Won't be as good as a real doctor but I have some decent... Experience... With triage care." She hesitates a bit on the 'experience' bit, a slight frown tugging at her lips before slipping back into a joking grin, "If nothin else I'll do my best to ensure your insides don't end up outside." She chuckles before giving a wave and leaving - properly this time - to gather her provisions and do her last minute shopping.
Vikka comes close to mistiming her jump but both Jortix and Maurice manage to snatch one of the tossed vials from the air with ease.
With your mission received from the deans and some supplies acquired from the Pathfinder Quartermaster, you can set out into the streets of Absalom!
The City at the Center of the World lives up to its name, as citizens and visitors of every conceivable species move along its many streets trading, touristing and living their lives. It's not too long of a trek from the Foreign Quarter where the Grand Lodge sits to Absalom's docks. As you approach the piers are filled with ships of all shapes and sizes and criers advertising their vessels trying to out-yell each other.
The gladhanding team of J and J hit the planks as they fan out to find who may be taking passengers northwards today.
One very conspicuous option is quickly apparent. The Mimosa - a large sailing vessel finely crafted from polished whitewood gleams in the sun as its golden filigree sparkles amongst the otherwise drab docks. Already onboard you can see several well-to-do merchants and aristocrats mingling on its foredeck and being wiated on by multiple servants carrying drinks and trats on silver trays. A sailor working on the boat's ropes catches you staring at it. Ah, she is quote the gem is she not? Captain Javinda spares no expense: the Mimosa was built in the Druman shipyards and you won't find any smoother ride as fast as her in this section of the seas. And the captain makes sure that the comfort of her passengers is great enough that they would wish the journey was longer! he pauses as he takes in your more…adventurer-esque outfits. For those that understand that proper style is worth the appropriate expense.
A bit further down the dock, you spy two other ships that will be stopping by Cassomir along their routes. One is a large wooden barge named the Powerful Hector. Captained by a human male, he speaks to you explaining. 'Aye, she's a good old ship. Namedafter my da - know ships are generally 'shes' but what's the point of being a captain if you can't name your ship whatever you want! You need to get to Cassomir huh? Well, we've got some room to bring you along. Three squares a day and won't be asking you to work so long as you don't mind sharing some space with the crew. Should make landfall by week's end if the weather holds.'
"For shame Eduard! These are adventuring sorts!" a deep voice calls out from a few piers down. A dwarf approaches you shaking his head. "Dangerous lives like theirs need to keep their coin saved up for armor, blades, and magicks! I'll tell you what friedns: my crew's heading over to Andoran for some work but we could tweak the course and swing by Cassomir for you" The dwarf points to his own ship down the way. The Opportune is certainly a ship, albeit a quite rickety-looking one, with several visible incongruent sections of wood and scaffolding along its hull marking a series of patchwork repairs. "Sure it won't be a night at the High Inns, but I'm sure you've slept in worse out in the woods or ruins or running from some ghost or ghoul. Just a gold each: save your coin for whatever scraps I'm sure you'll get in when you land!"
Bringing that question to the Mimosa's crew, the captin eventually comes out to meet with you. A fashionably-dressed Kellid woman, Javinda explains: Oh such enthusism! But no, I culdn't possibly have our guests seen manning our little craft. The journey is meant to be an experience. You're paying for luxury after all: who wants to work on their vacation. I assure you the Mimosa doesn't have any issues that need fixing.
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Eduard Tabrin of the Powerful Hector takes a bit more time to consider your proposal. 'A fellow sea dog huh? Well, my crew's a good...well crew learned to work together. But if you really know you're stuff, we'll see. Out on the water always things poppoing up. If you're as good on the waves as you say, I could see giving back a little of your share when you disembark.'
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"I'd have to agree... While I'd prefer to get there faster, the alternative is either a ship that looks like it'll sink as soon as sail, or a pleasure cruise that'll eat our entire stipend." Cordelia frowns at the options, doing a quick headcount of the party and then figuring how much gold it would cost in total, "Unfortunately I'm not overly experienced at sailing myself so I'm not certain how much I'd be able to contribute towards our fare in labor."
'Fair enough then.' Captain Eduard agrees. 'We'll be casting off in an hour. Have your mates and your gear on board and stowed by then, and we'll see how strong those hands are at the rigging'
Aboard the Hector the ship is not much to look at. While only a pair of rooms are set aside for the lot of you they do at least provide your own space away from the crew and each is furnished with several bunks and bedding of surprising comfort. As the ship leaves Absalom and over the days across the two-hundred mile journey you're also kept fed well enough. None of the ship's cook's meals could be considered fine dining but there's reasonable flavor he manages to eke out of the stored rations and each night you can go to bed with satisfyingly filled stomachs.