GM Brenael's Intro #1: The Second Confirmation (Table 1) (Inactive)

Game Master Brenael

Dot in and delete here

As your Pathfinder training at the Grand Lodge in Absalom draws to an end, you have been requested to join a mission. The details were scant, but you were told to present yourselves to the opulent Deans' Meeting Room at the Grand Lodge. There was mention of a rescue, being ready to travel immediately and a most unusual opportunity for a Confirmation mission.

Please introduce yourselves as you arrive in the spacious meeting room.

Priya arrives punctually, taking up a position towards the back of the meeting room so that her height wouldn't get in the way of any smaller agents. She gives a firm salute as she introduces herself, "Priya Samara, reporting in." Her tone is polite, if not somewhat stiff; standing at attention as she finishes her salute, showing a great deal of discipline as she awaits the start of the mission briefing.

Cirri stretches her pale gold wings as she enters the hall. "Howdy. I'm Cirri Merryweather. Pleased to meet ya." She waves hello. "Oh, it's good to see you again." Cirri says hello to some of the agents she met them before.

A small, blue, furry goblin walks into the opulent meeting room while talking enthusiastically to the chicken sitting on his massive head "This is it, Clucky! We'll be heroes for sure when we resc- Priya! Cirri!!!" The excited goblin exclaims upon seeing some familiar faces. He runs into the room, dragging an ogre-sized sword behind him, and shakes hands with his old comrades before, finally, introducing himself to any new faces in the room.

A all, if somewhat well built, white robbed figure enters the room. The cowl of his robes are up He holds a very fine looking staff in one hand. The hand looks pale but his eyes seem to shine in the darkness of the cowl.

He speaks in a heavily Ustalavian accent. Greetings my name is Niccolo of House Neska from Ustalav. I am happy to make your acquittance. His voice is smooth, like honey.

The red tiefling smiles warmly as he approaches.

Ah, I like a consistent team! We can continue learning to work together!

He then turns to see the new figure.

Hello Niccolo! I am Morthos, well met. This is my sister, Lidya.

He gestures at the ghostly eidolon standing next to him.

The dhamphir raises an eye brow at the tiefling's introduction of his sibling. I would be very interested in studying the relationship that you two have.

Lidya gets a confused look.

Studying? I mean it's a long story how I ended up like this

She holds out her arms for emphasis. The are vaguely see-through.

but otherwise we came from the same mother! That's our relationship. Stuffy big-brother.

The tiefling sighs and rubs his temples.

"Ah, quite a few familiar faces." She states, doing her best not to break decorum too much, "A pleasure to be working with you all again. And you as well, Mister... Neska?" She asked, still not certain of the polite way to address - apparent - humans of different stations.

but otherwise we came from the same mother! That's our relationship. Stuffy big-brother.

"Oh, I agree!" Pipes in Noggin "Lidya is the cool one... You should see her in action, with the shwooop shop and the flAAAmes!!!" he excitedly re-enacts a recent fight in an alleyway, then gets a wistful look in his eyes at the thought of flaming swords. The furry goblin glances at his own sword, wondering if he could pull off similar displays of pyrotechnics. A moment later, Noggin snaps out of his reverie and offers a hand to the newcomer "Noggin... Noggin Ninetoes, pleased to meet ya, Niccolo."

"Oh, Niccolo and I met before. We were in some ruins that had some... er... undead. But we took care of them." Cirri's wings twitch a bit when she remembers how close she came to hurting him with her water.

Lidya holds out her "firebrand," looks down at it and smiles for the recognition.

Yeah! You should see my "X-slash" when we get into a skirmish! she proclaims proudly.

More sighing.

Don't encourage her...

He nods at the elf, In my country I come from a noble family but no titles have yet passed down to myself. he says with a smile that shows the tips of his canines.

Yes, the strix and I were able, with a group of other Pathfinders to take down a member of the undead who sought power.

Arriving into the scene with sense of urgency, a handsome kitsune makes a dramatic entrance, as if chased by a wild animal. Coming to a sudden halt, he takes a moment to catch his breath before turning to the nearest person with a sheepish grin. "Am I late? Is the meeting already over? Apologies for my tardiness! By the way, I'm Delta," he introduces himself, his eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and embarrassment.

"We were just finishing introductions and awaiting the briefing." She answers, nodding to the late arrival, another interesting travel companion; was this what was meant by gaining worldly experience in the Pathfinder Society? She wondered to herself before speaking up once more, "Priya Samara, incidentally." She answers his introduction, realizing Delta wasn't there for the prior exchange of names.

"Oh hi! I'm Cirri Merryweather." Cirri flutters her wings and hops towards the newcomer before catching herself. "Sorry! I don't get to meet many... um... uh..." She pulls out a journal from her back pocket and flips through. "Kit-sun-e... Kitsune." She offers a hand to shake. "I bet you haven't seen many strixes around here!" She grins.

Delta grins at the elf and the strix, then sighs in relief. "Good to hear that!" he expresses with concern, as he has always been late to mission briefings. "Oh, yes! It might be my first time seeing a strix. I wonder if it's true that they can fly, or so I've heard." His grin widens, as if expecting Cirri to show off her flying skills inside the hall, though that might not be a good idea.

Not long after you are all settled and conversing, three individuals enter the spacious meeting room. A male elf, garbed in fine red robes with gold embroidery enters first. The second to enter is a 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 the head 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. I’ll try to be brief.” Kreighton begins. “One of our most enthusiastic Pathfinder initiates, a fungus leshy by the name of Rain in Cloudy Day, was recently approved for his Confirmation.

In case you’ve forgotten, a Confirmation is a mission we send initiates on as a final test before recognizing them as full field agents. 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, 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.”

The Master of Swords, Marcos Farabellus, chimes in with a chuckle. “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!”

"So, I am sure you have questions." finishes Kreighton

_________________________

Noggin watches adoringly as the master of swords makes his entrance Those weapons... Soo beautiful! He salutes enthusiastically at the man he wants to emulate some day, and then again with somewhat less enthusiasm to the more scholarly deans. "Soo... I'd be a hero and a Pathfinder agent after this!? All official like?" His grin gets even wider "I heard those swamps are full of explosive gas and quicksand... I've always wanted to see them! But could be that Rain got lost if he ain't a wilderness expert, like me." He looks around at his colleagues, clearly wondering if anyone is actually an expert in wilderness survival since he is definitely not. Finally, he returns is admiring gaze to Marcos I wonder if he'll let me touch one of his swords... He suddenly blinks, clears his throat and asks "Do you know where in the swamps he was looking?"

"Oh. Well, um, flying does take a while to figure out for most Strix. Falling from tall heights and riding the wind is pretty easy, though." Cirri keeps chattering. "I could jump off the roof and glide down, although you get a lot of funny looks around here. Must be a human thing."

She's about to chide her last remark when the deans arrive. "Oh! Hello! So Rain in Cloudy Day went to swamps and assist in exploring the ruins." She scribbles everything down. "Uh, are there any undead out there?"

"Cassomir you say... An urban mire near as dangerous as the one it shares land with." Priya thought aloud, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, "We'll have to stay on our toes during our investigation, lest we fall victim to the city's less savory inhabitants before we even set foot in the swamp." She warned before nodding to the deans, "If I may ask, is there any confirmation that our wayward leshy actually reached Cassomir? And if so, where were they checking in from? That might be a good place to start our search."

The dhamphir takes everything in and begins to think about pertinent questions that he might ask. One comes to him,
What types of creatures might we encounter in the swamps that the leshy was exploring, if that information is known?

"I agree!" Delta perks up as Noggins mentions about explosive gas and quicksand in the Blackwood Swamp. "We should avoid those gas and sands..." he advises the others.

Was Rain alone on his confirmation or did he venture out with any companions?

Kreighton smiles as the questions tumble out. "That's what I like to see - always gather as much information as possible before a mission! Let me answer those in order."

"Do you know where in the swamps he was looking?"

Well Master NineToes, we do have an idea. Rain uncovered evidence of ruins in Taldor’s Blackwood Swamp, just north of Cassomir, 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. These ruins were likely built by Azlanti who survived the event, and are possibly 6,000 years old, or older. Rain was intending to investigate the ruins for his Confirmation mission.

"Uh, are there any undead out there?"

Ah yes, Cirri Merryweather, Ambrus mentioned yours and Niccolo's recent expedition and the undead you faced there. Excellent work. However, we are not aware of any undead in the swamp.

"If I may ask, is there any confirmation that our wayward leshy actually reached Cassomir? And if so, where were they checking in from? That might be a good place to start our search."

"Indeed, an excellent question. Perhaps I could ask Sorrina to field that one."

Sorrina nods and continues "No, we haven't heard from him since he left. Rain chartered a vessel from here to the Taldan port city of 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."

What types of creatures might we encounter in the swamps that the leshy was exploring, if that information is known?

Marcos Farabellus exchanges a quick look with Kreighton, who nods and then Marcos pipes up "Well, the Blackwood Swamp surrounds Cassomir on all landward sides. It's a rotting marshland that’s filled with dense overgrowth, quicksand (as Noggin and Delta mentioned)" accentuated with an approving nod at the two Pathfinders "... as well as giant carnivorous plants, monsters, and all sorts of other lovely things. The perfect place for Pathfinders to prove themselves!" he finishes enthusiastically.

Was Rain alone on his confirmation or did he venture out with any companions?

Sorrina responds "Yes Rain was alone, as is customary on these Confirmation missions. Yours will be the rather unusual one, but a very important one for us!"

Kreighton Shaine then takes another glance around the room, then hands over a sack containing 6 gold pieces each and concludes. "Here are your funds for the mission. While you may have personal funds, they are not to be used for your travel expenses. This currency is to be used to arrange travel to Cassomir, plus your accommodation there and any leftovers should be used only for acquiring information on Rain in Cloudy Day’s location. That is part of the mission and assessment. We have a vessel chartered for your return though, so no need to budget for that, we want to make sure we can get Rain home quickly if needed."

Sorrina then places two minor healing potions and one minor void potion on the table.

Marcos pulls out an everlight crystal from his array of equipment and slides it across the table. The Master of Swords then jovially tosses two lesser antidotes to the PCs as a final test of skill.

Two people can attempt a DC 10 Acrobatics check to catch them

and then Kreighton places a single wayfinder on the table. "We normally reserve these for fully recognized Pathfinder agents, but you should take this for your journey. It can both prove your allegiance and it may come in handy when exploring the wilds. Now, best you start your journey. The docks await!"

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

"Hmmm, no confirmation potentially broadens the search area... Knowing the risks of sea travel and such." She murmured to herself, though despite her distraction she moved quickly in response to the movement, snatching one of the bottles out of the air before it could land and giving it a look over as she finished her thought, "But having a starting point inland will at least expedite our search on the assumption he did make it to town in one piece at least."

"I've got it!!!" Noggin, eager to look good in front of his idol, jumps forwards to catch the vial.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Unfortunately, in his eagerness, the antidote slips from his grasp and bounces on the floor. Clucky, still perched on the goblins head, flaps her wings dramatically with a small squark. He looks down disconsolately at the unbroken vial on the floor, trying to stifle a blush as Marcos starts laughing. "Ummm... See! Stopped it breaking." He states, trying to save face. "Someone should grab that Wayfinder... We have a boat to catch" He snatches up the antidote and makes for the door in a manner that he hopes doesn't look half as sulky as it feels.

Acrobatic: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"I got it!" Cirri scoops the Wayfinder with a quick gust of wind.

Oh poor Noggin!

Marcos continues jovially "Always have to be alert my friend! You'll catch it next time no doubt though, Noggin. Good luck to you all on your mission. Remember: explore, report, cooperate"

As you are leaving, Kreighton adds "Oh yes, one last thing, in the spirit of cooperate, you should be all traveling on the same boat and staying together in Cassomir."
________

Once you leave the briefing you can make your way to the Docks District of Absalom, where you’ll need to secure travel to Cassomir. There are plenty of notices and criers at the Docks, all informing crowds of open spaces onboard vessels set to travel across the Inner Sea region and beyond.

Everyone feel free to reveal this once someone succeeds at the diplomacy check
_____________

Travel funds: 36 gp

"Okay, time to talk and find passage. I can't swim all the way over there!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

Cirri's life on the coasts near Chileax pay off. She's pretty good at talking to sailors.

"Okay, looks like there are 3 vessels we can take. One is... very fancy. One is... very economical. One is in the middle. I like the Powerful Hector the most, frankly. But I'd like to hear your opinions."

He is going to requisistion a mage armor scroll as his school item.

"I second that vote, as it seems to be the one that'll get us there in one piece and hopefully leave us with money for at least a night of lodging before we set out into the field." She gives a nod to Cirri's findings, "Besides which, it would be unprofessional to use Society funds on a pleasure cruise, even if it's for the mission."

Morthos nods.

Hector is seaworthy but affordable. A good balance of frugality and survival on the open seas.

With the decision made you make your way to the Powerful Hector. Captain Eduard Tabrin welcomes you aboard "Aye, you made the right choice, I'll have you over to Cassomir in a jiffy!" and true to his word, the journey is uneventful. The clean shared lodgings offer a comfortable refuge and you are served three square meals a day. After six days at sea you make port at Cassomir. When you arrive, the Mimosa is already at the docks and judging by the way they are bringing passengers, fine food and wine aboard it won't be long before she'll be weighing anchor again. However, there is no sign of the Opportune!

After disembarking from the Powerful Hector you emerge into the Imperial Naval Shipyards district. A short walk along the docks finds you outside an inn with a sign swaying in the wind that depicts a frog standing up on two hind legs while drool from its mouth acts as a third leg to keep the frog’s balance.

Inside the Three-Legged Frog, the halfling innkeeper Aganis Downard greets you enthusiastically "More travellers I'll warrant, well good day to you. How may I assist? Are you looking for some lodging or just a hearty meal and a drink?"
_____________
Travel funds: 21 gp

"We're actually here as part of a search party regarding a missing agent. A mushroom leshy named..." She takes a moment to check her notebook regarding the mission, "... Rain in Cloudy Day. They were supposed to check in here to meet a guide before heading out to investigate some ruins in the swamp." She states, tucking the book away in her hip pouch once more, "That said, we could also make use of some lodging while we're here; what are your rates if I may ask?"

Cirri spends her time on the Powerful Hector flitting about, checking out the pulleys, talking to the crew during their break, and trying to get a sneak peak at the engine- her Uncle's lessons are paying off and she's able to make sense of some of it.

"Bye Captain! Hopefully you're still at port when I get back!" Cirri waves goodbye before returning to the mission. "A friendly sailor opens many ports." She recites. "I think that's what Dad says."

"Hello Aganis! I'm Cirri Merryweather. We're looking for Rain in Cloudy Day. They look like a walking talking mushroom. Have you seen them lately?"

Cirri makes a few friends amongst the crew, but when she enquires about the engine, the sailors simply point up to the wind filled sails above.

________

"A walking mushrooom you say? Well, me husband Roland did mention something about one staying here while I was away last week. He's not due back for a few hours though sorry. Now lodging I can help you out with though. We have our adventurer's package available. 5 gp each for our best rooms and our exclusive alchemically enriched meals. Or I have our regular rooms and meals for 25 silver each. If that's too rich for you then there's a rough hostel down the road that I hear will put you up for 10 silver each but I wouldn't stay there."

While waiting for Roland to return you can ask around about Rain.

"Oh! I'll ask around."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Cirri's a rarity, and she creeps people out.

"Well, then. Um..." she counts amongst her allies. "I don't think we can afford the fancy rooms. Let's get some regular rooms."

Noggin had never had much luck in the past when trying to schmooze with longshanks outside the Society Lodges. However, still thinking about how Marcos believes in him (You'll catch it next time no doubt though, Noggin, he said) the plucky goblin decides to enter the social fray and gather some gossip.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

A little while later, Noggin talks to the rest of his comrades with renewed vigour. "Sounds like Rain had a bit of a time of it..." He then enthusiastically recounts all that he has heard, embellishing appropriately for dramatic effect "...And went all alone, 'cept for the storm cloud that seems to be hovering over his head! Pretty crazy, right?" He states as the story is told "I like this guy already!"

I hope I got that right. It was a success, but a nat 20 makes it one step better, right? So it was a crit success

Yep, crit success for Noggin!

Cirri gets spun a story from someone who says they caught a glimpse of a woody green leshy wearing a crown of leaves, and speculate that he was probably snatched-up by some of the dangers that live in the sewers.

Caught up in retelling a tale of woe (forgot to mention that people should feel free to click on the spoilers since Noggin will tell y'all about them), Noggin almost forgets about the rooms "Sure! The regular rooms sound real fancy to me anyway."

"Oh no! I think he got caught in the sewers!" Cirri returns, only to hear Noggin talk about the swamp. "Really? That doesn't make sense. Was he caught in the sewers or the swamp?"

Regular rooms indeed, and it sounds like Rain ventured out ill-prepared. I hope we can find him before the dangers of the swap do.

Then a confused look to Cirri.

Wait, why would he have gone to the sewers when his confirmation should be in the swamps, as our VCes told us?

The wizard spends his travel time taking notes and reading his spellbook.

"But I would love to have a fancy room..." Delta shows a face with puppy eyes, pleading to everyone for wanting a nice room with a cozy bed and delicious food before they head to the dangerous Swamp.

DC 15 Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Asking around about the missing leshy, he only heard tales of big rare fish caught from a nearby dock.

In case there is more to learn about the leshy's whereabouts or previous activities, Morthos and his sister will do a little more asking around.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Delta gets caught up in exciting fisherman's tale, but no word on the leshy.

Morthos and Lidya's asking around yields similar information to Noggin - a run of bad luck for Rain, with a missing guide and stolen supplies, but guards still reported seeing the leshy set out for the swamps.

Roland Downard returns shortly before the dinner service. "Rain in Cloudy Day, a mushroom leshy, yes we did have one stay here a couple of weeks ago. He got here a bit late and we didn't have any of our regular rooms left, so he had to take a more expensive one. He was quite concerned about that. There was that pack mule he lost too - odd as while this is a rough place we don't get too much of that. Anyway, the next day he set out into the Blackwood Swamp, and I haven't seen him since then. Very nice fellow though, if a bit enthusiastic. I do hope you find him. Now we have your rooms ready too, so you should be all set there."

You spend a comfortable night at the Three-Legged Frog and are ready to depart in the morning with a full belly.

______________
Travel funds: 6 gp