Pathfinders hustle about the grounds of Woodsedge Lodge, checking in, mustering in units, unloading and delivering supplies, cooking, and socializing. The atmosphere is tense but excited. The Maze of the Open Road is a place of legend that few Pathfinders have had the honor of traversing. Once dangerous, the Maze was recently repaired by Eliza Petulengro of the Decemvirate, and news that the Maze is once again malfunctioning has led to intense speculation among the gathering Pathfinders. Cutting through chaos and gossip alike, Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau takes the lead, ensuring everyone gathers in their assigned units and tends to their duties.
She and the other leaders are working to make sure everything and everyone is fully prepared... and they could probably use a hand.
Urwal, the lizardfolk philosopher and leader of the Verdant Wheel faction, is looking for Escorts.
Calisro Benarry, the half-orc corsair who is faction leader of the Horizon Hunters is concerned about the Last Meal before the group leaves.
Ashasar, a suli druid who is a planar specialist and liaison between the Pathfinder Society and the Concordance of Elements, is conducting Magical Investigations.
Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau, a half-elf detective, is trying to finalize the Mustering.
Head Initiate Janira Gavix, the halfling instructor, is seeking some Reassurance for inexperienced field agents.
Eando Kline, the human explorer and faction leader of the Vigilant Seal, is checking and re-checking the Supplies.
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A young human teenage boy, barely 5' tall, adorned in full plate mail that's a tad too big for him, stumbles around the courtyard of the Woodsedge Lodge. Slowing him down is a large halberd strapped to his left hip and a longbow strapped to his right. Both weapons are comically dragging on the ground behind him, as he takes in his surroundings.
Upon finding his assigned group, the boy looks to everyone with wide-eyed excitement. "Golly, it's great to be going on another Pathfinder mission!" He continues without taking a breath, "I'm Dennis. My daddy says I'll grow into my armor. I'm a real good fighter. I've been practicing with my new bow, too!" The bow appears to have never been used.
As he swings around to show off his bow, his halberd nearly knocks over an elderly Pathfinder making his way through the chaos. "Oh, sorry mister. You'll be okay." Dennis looks around to see what needs to be done and nearly runs into Janira Gavix working with new field agents.
Spotting one particularly lost soul struggling to follow the simplest instructions, Dennis encourages the lad, "You there. Yes, the easily distracted one. Keep your focus and you could be one of the finest initiates the Lodge has every seen!" Dennis doesn't believe that for a minute.
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Princess Clover is on the short side compared to most people, but for a doll she's rather astoundingly tall at around three feet (a little over if you count the crown built into her head). As she's both, it works out on average.
Made primarily of wood, with a crown poking through her curly hair that's built-in to her head, Clover is quick to assure the others that she's not under any delusion that she's actually royalty. "'Princess' is part of my full name, because I was built as a mascot. Wasn't intended to 'pop up,' but after my creator was murdered I didn't have much else to do."
She wears armor over her green dress. On her right hip is a warhammer, and tucked through her belt on the other side is an old hand mirror. Her backpack has several small pockets, and there are more pouches on her belt and bandolier.
"I'm a monster hunter. Not all Pathfinder missions are a close fit for my personal objectives, but they do often enough that I've no objection to helping out the rest of the time. I'm handy with my warhammer, and folks say I have a reassuring presence. And I'm no wizard, but I have some tricks."
She draws her mirror and angles it so that it reflects a space ten feet away. She's visible in the mirror as though she was standing there, which she is. For several seconds, she exists simultaneously in both places at once before the first one fades from sight.
"Aren't you a little young for this, lad?" she says, hurrying to keep up with Dennis.
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A short frail-looking man followed by a well-built angel whose naked upper half-body glistens golden in the light arrives at the scene.
"Hello, I am Charlies, and he is Estes." The man introduces himself and the angel.
He looks at the young fighter who is about the same height as him but with all the energy that Charlies do not have anymore.
Head Initiate Janira Gavix smiles and waves at your the sight then hurries over to say hello.
Do you have a second to lend me a hand? I brought along a few dozen newly graduated Pathfinders, but they’re worried about the upcoming mission. I know they’re ready for this, but the scale of it all is setting them on edge. Could you talk to the rookies? Some conversation and encouragement will help settle their nerves.
Says Janira with hope in her voice.
Quickly, Dennis find the right words to reassure all the new recruits except for one, but maybe another from the group could find the perfect right words to convince the last one?
Looking around, Dennis find that his muscle could be of use for Eando Kline who checks the supplies and need people to move them back and forth.
Vigilant Seal faction leader Eando Kline sifts through crates and wagons, divvying gear up into piles.
Seeing Dennis coming towards him he waves at him and says Help me sort this equipment according to the supply list, then deliver it to the assembling teams. We need to ensure everyone is well equipped for the upcoming mission.
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Dennis marvels at the adorable doll and responds, "When I was a kid... (He says this as if it was a long time ago. It wasn't.) "...I played with dolls. But they weren't as well-made as you." He quickly adds without taking a breath, "And they didn't talk!" He decides, "I like your mirror." When Clover asks his age, he stands up proudly and puffs out his chest, "I'm almost 15. Daddy says I'm a man now so I go on important Pathfinder missions. They're like fun sleepovers!"
When Dennis sees Charlies, he cringes and mutters to Clover, "Oh dear, I hope he wasn't the old man I almost knocked over earlier." He shrugs it off quickly. "Oh well." Fortunately, his attention span isn't very long. In fact, it's fleetingly short. It's a blessing. And a curse.
Dennis is happy to not do the same boring job again and again. After helping Janira with the initiates, he excitedly runs to Eando (almost running into him). When he arrives, he's happy to help! "Move boxes? Child's play!"
Dennis quickly and efficiently works on sorting the supply list equipements to Eando Kline's full satisfaction.
Well done Pathfinder, You've impressed me. Thanks to your efficiency I've realized that we have spare equipment. You can take some.
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Clover squints at the luminous half-naked man.
As a construction of wood and cloth, this is of no interest to her and she returns her attention to the recruits.
"Oh, nothing to worry about," she assures them, "Never lost anyone on a mission yet. There's strength in numbers, and that's the strength of working together as agents of a larger organization. I've dealt with a few demons I couldn't have handled on my own because I wasn't on my own. When we gather in force, there's something dangerous out there, but that's exactly why we do it. Just stick together, pay attention, and follow the leaders' guidance as much as you can."
She then hurries on to keep up with Dennis... though he's already done most of the work.
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A large thick-necked man comes over to see Dennis carrying the boxes. "That's some serious weight for a little guy. Maybe I can help. Name's Jaxon." He helps carry some of the last boxes.
When they're done, Jaxon pops some knuckles of his hand. "Good to work out the joints. Limber up, eh? But I'm going to be hungry soon. Maybe we ought to see what's for dinner."
Princess Clover finds the right words to reassure the last recruit!
As Jaxon leads the group towards Horizon Hunters faction leader Calisro Benarry, she clutches at her stomach as it grumbles loudly. Just in time Pathfinders! I’m starving!
Go lend the Lodge’s serving staff a hand so everyone can have a proper meal before this mission gets underway. We can’t set out on an empty stomach!
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Oblivious of whatever they, Dennis and Clover, are talking about, Charlies awkwardly smile at the young fighter before he leaves for the tasks.
He converses with the new Pathfinder agents, encouraging them that if they work together, they can achieve the goals of the mission at hand.
When Eando calls them over for another task, he already finds that Dennis has already finished it. He is somewhat impressed. "Nice work there, kid." he commends him.
Charlies joins the kitchen staff, helping them find the right herbs for the food to boost everyone's energy and health.
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Dennis finishes up with Eando and hears everyone talking about cooking. The boy calls out, "I like to eat!" He runs, as fast as he can in his oversized armor, to where the food is. In his excitement, he bumps into three people on the way and nearly knocks over a cart of vegetables. "Can I help? Can I? Pretty please?" He looks hopefully up at whoever's in charge.
Charlies and his angel is able to find the right spice and herbs to improve the meal's taste! while Princess Clover, dispite her best efforts, is unable to improve it.
Jaxon in the other hand, tries to use belladonna as spice before Charlie's stop him!
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Another member of your team is a young man with long blond hair. His blue eyes convey all the great sadness and certainty in the evil of the world that is so typical of young people about eighteen years of age. However, some scars and an obviously powerful physique indicate that this individual is definitely a valuable asset in combat. In his hands, he wields a light hammer.
Hi! Name's Radim.
Then he goes to the familiar lizardfolk - Urwal. How are you, buddy? We had to run after you then, heh.
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Dennis welcomes a slightly older boy who joins the group. "Hi Radim. I'm Dennis. I like making new friends." Upon seeing the ranger's weapon, "Nice hammer. I have a halberd." He proudly draws it, nearly impaling an adjacent cook. "Sorry mister chef. That was close." He laughs, but quickly sheathes it.
When he's allowed to help, Dennis lies, "Oh goodie! I'm an excellent cook." This is nothing short of a complete fabrication. He never cooks. His mom does all the cooking at home. But thanks to his pathfinder training, he understands the flavors that various ancestries prefer.
Alas, the excitement of all the hustle and bustle make it hard for the lad to focus.
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A tall woman enters the room. She's a bit harried, having overslept. She rushes into the group of Pathfinders and sees a familiar face. Her eyes light up as she sees a youngster with a polearm that's a bit too tall for him.
"Ah! Duh-nee! It's you again! Looks like vee vill haf anozer adventure togezer!" She bows to the other Pathfinders, introducing herself. "Bonjour! I am Zhamie Zhapp from zee Bell Detective Agency from Absalom! I am also a docteur and vill provably serve as your medic for zis outing!"
Zhamie is able to help making the meal good, but not exceptional!
Verdant Wheel faction leader Urwal walks amidthe gathered Pathfinders. He checks each person’s face before shaking his head and moving on to the next. When he sees Radim, his face light up. Greetings Radim! Glad to see you there. I need your help. There are Pathfinders unaccounted for. Although the upcoming mission will be dangerous, Galt is not a land it would do to get lost in. Find our wayward companions and bring them here so no one gets left behind.
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"Ah! Duh-nee! It's you again! Looks like vee vill haf anozer adventure togezer!" She bows to the other Pathfinders, introducing herself.
When Dennis hears the familiar french accent, he smiles and runs up to Zhamie to give her a hug. "Wee wee." He laughs, thinking that's particularly funny. "It'll be fun working together on another important Pathfinder mission." He looks around. "Let's go find more initiates!" He runs off again.
Radim, Dennis, Jaxon and Charlies find several Pathfinders wandering around but Zhamie is able to find one that had fallen unconscious, certainly after eating one of the meal prepared by Jaxon!
A hush falls over the gathered Pathfinders as Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau ascends a podium erected outside the entrance to the Maze of the Open Road. “Welcome to Woodsedge, Pathfinders! Thank you for coming. As many of you know, the Maze of the Open Road is an interdimensional pathway built long ago by Forest King Narven Feathereyes as a gift for the Society. Time was not kind to the maze, but thanks to the efforts of Eliza Petulengro and other Pathfinders, it was repaired.
“Recently, the maze’s paths realigned and now all point to a single location. Our investigations indicate this isn’t a problem with the Maze of the Open Road but an outside source—a beacon—that’s attracting the paths. The maze is of critical importance to many missions and must remain available. Our mission is to fix this strange anomaly.
“We traverse the Maze of the Open Road to an unknown destination. Although this is an exciting opportunity to explore new horizons, our mission is not exploration. Our mission is to find the beacon and sever its connection to the Maze of the Open Road. Prepare yourselves! We leave shortly.”
After a few minutes to allow for any last-second preparations, Venture-Captain Jirneau leads the assembled Pathfinders into the Maze of the Open Road. ”Stay close, we won’t be here long.”
Armeline guides the Pathfinders through the maze with confidence, while Eando Kline, faction leader of the Vigilant Seal, takes the rear, ensuring no Pathfinders get left behind. Armeline hesitates only a moment before plunging through a shimmering portal, out of the Maze and into the unknown.
Following her lead, the Pathfinders arrive in a large stone chamber with red stone walls and polished tan floor tiles, lit by a luminous arch rising from a central raised platform. The chamber has three side chambers and one exit. “Fan out, Pathfinders!” Venture-Captain Armeline orders. “Secure the area.”
Zhamie is able to assist Ashasar in gathering magical reading of the Maze to ensure nothing's changed before Venture-Captain Armeline Jirneau calls the Pathfinders.
The Pathfinders emerge from the portal into ancient ruins. They suddenly feel very light on their feet.
The chamber is illuminated by a large arch, 15 feet wide and 25 high, composed of a luminous crystal.
In addition to the arch, there are three other features of this large chamber the Pathfinders may wish to investigate: A side chamber containing a fountain, a side chamber with rows of wooden hooks, and a chamber partially blocked by a circular stone door.
There is also a massive exit door made of pitch-black stone. Who knows what's beyond there?
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Dennis loves getting gifts. "Oh goodie! Free stuff!" He beams, "Isn't it great being a Pathfinder?" Dennis takes the Emerald Grasshopper and 1 potion each of antidote and antiplague. Before heading through the maze, he drinks the antiplague and has the grasshopper affixed to his armor. He shouts with glee. "I'm ready now. When can we start? Are we there yet?"
After stepping through the portal, Dennis looks around in wonder. "Neato! This. Place. Is. Awesome!" He's drawn to the luminescent crystal, but when the others head to the fountain, he runs after and tries to pass people up, without knocking them over. "Can I see? Can I see?"
This side chamber contains a fountain that pours water into a large stone washing basin. The water is clean, clear, and tastes metallic.
entering a sacred space.
A deep pit partially filled with bones sits at the center of this circular chamber. Rising from the platform hanging over the pit is a single central pillar, which stretches up to the ceiling. Doors line the chamber’s perimeter, but the north and west doors are sealed.
There are three doors in this chamber, one each in the north, east, and west, but only the east door is open .
When you look down, you see that the bottom of the pit is filled with humanoid skeletons of varying sizes.
As you move closer, you all hear a woman’s voice calling out in Common, Heraxia? Heraxia, where are you?. The voice do not come from a discernable source.
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In the fountain room when Princess Clover talks about a ritual washing basin, Dennis approaches eagerly and asks, "So I can wash my hands here?" He explains, "My mama says my hands are always dirty." As he's about to rinse off his hands, Dennis turns to Clover, "What does rich-oo-, ritch-u-, ritual mean?"
In the next room, Dennis hears the voices. He looks over the edge, "Are ... are those skeletons? If they come to life, I'll stab them!" Then he studies the stone pillar in the center.
"Look everyone. A stone pillar!"