The Pathfinders begin the adventure at the Grand Lodge in the city of Absalom. A Pathfinder scribe who works for Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin seeks each of them out in turn, summoning them to a mission briefing in the offices of Skyreach.
"There you are. Follow me." the scribe tells them and leads you the way toward the office.
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Zarina, a human girl with waist length blonde hair, is fairly fit - what with all that swimming and diving she does, so she's still breathing easy once in the office.
Hello. I'm Zarina. Wave Druid. She's wearing a light cotton shirt and shorts over a crocodile hide two piece. A long spear is being carried in one hand and her backpack in the other. Practical walking boots are on her feet.
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A blue-skinned goblin joins the group. If he has some sort of grand backstory, it is well hidden beneath a set of colorful - or, more accurately, gaudy - performer's clothing. Strapped to his back are a well-worn bow and quiver and a pack stuffed with writings and magical devices with unusual auras, plus a single silver die held in a pouch made from an oddment of chainmail.
"Not too wet, I hope. Been thrown overboard by goblin sailors on a mission once. Everything tasted of salt for a week, and not in a good way.
"I'm Jiki. I'm here to befuddle our foes and then write about how incredible the Pathfinders - except maybe one weird little goblin - handle whatever fate throws at them! So... what is fate throwing at us today?" He offers a hand to each of his fellow agents.
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No idea ... but I hope it's wet she grins.
"Oh, I'd love to go swimming in a waterfall or dancing in a thunderstorm - that'd be great!"
The speaker is a young, pretty sprite accompanied by a brutish, wolf-like animal. She flits up the stairs on glowing wings, zipping up to the others to say hello, while her eidolon (easily identified as such by the glowing tattoo emblazoned on his shoulder that matches the pattern of her wings) sniffs the air for trouble as the group reaches the top. Satisfied, he settles onto the office floor.
Eventually done introducing herself - "I'm Raindrop!" - and poking about, she flops on top of him and makes herself comfortable.
As they get near the office, muffled, agitated voices can be heard through the heavy oak doors of their destination, causing their escort to wince sheepishly, even as they assure the team that they’re expected.
“And I don’t care what Calisro Benarry’s assurances were. We all should have been informed before they were dispatched.” Eando Kline’s voice is the first thing heard upon entry into the room. The leader of the Vigilant Seal stops talking upon seeing Pathfinder agents approach and looks to his side at the Radiant Oath leader, Valais Durant. The aasimar woman smiles at the new arrivals before addressing the final two occupants of the room—Ambrus Valsin and the Decemvirate member known as the Waterfall. “Eando and I are in agreement, but we cannot change what is already in motion. We must trust in our most capable agents to see it through.”
The Waterfall, seated behind a relatively simple desk of polished basalt, looks up at Ambrus, who clears his throat. “Your concerns are duly noted, but please understand that this was done by necessity. As Valais said, we have senior Pathfinders here who can handle it.”
Kline takes a deep breath before nodding in apparent defeat. He and Valais turn to exit the office, the latter offering each agent a warm smile, while Eando gives a reassuring grip on the shoulder to Raindrop, before closing the door behind them after they depart.
Motioning for all to take the available seats, the Waterfall rises, the concealing magical waters of her Decemvirate helm flowing to shroud even her simplest movements. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.” She smooths her dress with a gloved hand, then continues. “Your mission is to investigate an island laboratory we believe once belonged to old enemies of the Society, located near the shattered continent of Azlant in the middle of the Arcadian Ocean. A ship called the Misty Misfit, crewed entirely by retired Pathfinder agents, set sail several weeks ago without knowing their final destination as support for your task. The fact that we enacted the first stages of this operation in secret does not sit well with those who most fervently safeguard our well-being.
“While we do know the island’s location, it has proven impossible to scry upon with any form of magic, and thus we are concerned there may be other safeguards left behind. This, plus the scrutiny that befalls those who sail too directly toward Azlanti ruins, led me to order the vessel to set sail for an empty patch of ocean instead. Our ritualists will teleport you to the Misty Misfit, where you will deliver this chart,” she indicates a wax-sealed scroll, “that the captain can use to get you there and back. Once you arrive, clear the facility of danger and collect any research or artifacts you find. In particular, you are to locate and retrieve a small white oak chest with a yellow garnet embedded in the lid.”
"Any questions?"
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A goblin dressed in a ratty tuxedo complete with top hat enters the room just as Waterfall begins to speak. The top hat is far too small to fit his oversized goblin head and is tied on with a length of string. Instead of a proper tuxedo shirt he wears a tee shirt with the words "Fire Festival 4724" on it. He reaches up to adjust a pair of cracked spectacles which are also too small and tied on with string. "A clandestine aquatic rendezvous eh? Intriguing."
He pulls a pipe out from a pouch at his belt and fills it with an iridescent liquid. He leans back and softly blows into the pipe, causing a torrent of soap bubbles to emerge and float about his head.
"Old enemies of the society?" He chuckles. "You'll have to be more specific. Our old enemies are legion. What sort of laboratory is it? And what's so special about this oak chest that makes it a priority?"
He turns to the pathfinders and grins. "Sorry I'm late, chaps. I only just got back from a bit of a planar jaunt" He proudly indicates his tee shirt. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hobbs Picklesmith. I am a practitioner of the esoteric disciplines. A wizard if you will."
He reaches up and politely doffs his hat to the assembled pathfinders, revealing a tiny hedgehog clinging to his enormous head.
The hedgehog greets the pathfinders with a soft squeaky voice. "Hello. My name is Erinac..." the remainder of her reply is muffled as Hobbs replaces his hat.
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"Oh, I can't stay aloft - wings aren't quite strong enough yet. I'm just good at popping on and off of his back and up and down the length of things in such a way that I fool most observers," she throws Zarina a wink, clearing enjoying the banter but also clearly missing the point.
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"Hiya, Hobbs! Good questions. I'll add, who's the captain of the boat and do we have any idea who or what lives on the island?"
"Old enemies of the society?" He chuckles. "You'll have to be more specific. Our old enemies are legion. What sort of laboratory is it? And what's so special about this oak chest that makes it a priority?"
Waterfall smiles, though they may not see it behind her waterfall mask. “My sources indicate it once belonged to the Aspis Consortium, specifically, one of its most secret subdivisions, known as Conference Z.”
“Ostensibly, Conference Z is an esoteric research organization. In reality, they conduct dangerous, reality-breaking experiments. The Society conducted surveillance their Nidal facility called Wirholt’s Rictus about eight years ago as part of a rare joint Pathfinder-Aspis operation. This was done to root out agitators who were trying to play our agents against each other with dire consequences. Senior agents also investigated an island lab called Wingless Rock where Conference Z experimented with artificially created ‘god-creatures’ that also resulted in much death and destruction. Everything this Conference Z touches is extremely dangerous.” From her response, they can infer what the laboratory was for.
"As for the box," The Waterfall hesitates before answering. “All I can say is that the box should be small enough to be carried with one hand, and it should be somewhere in that facility. But do not put your mission at risk if you cannot find it.” She does not say anything else on the topic, even if pressed.
"I'll add, who's the captain of the boat and do we have any idea who or what lives on the island?"
"The ship will be led by Gray Garrett Ramsay, a human duskwalker captain of Misty Misfit."
Ambrus Valsin replies to the other question. “Militant groups from Mordant Spire regularly police this part of the Arcadian Ocean, as do numerous aquatic communities that we know little about. Survivors suggest that most of these groups attack first and ask questions later. Don’t tarry too long on the island once you get there.”
"If you have no more questions, then follow us." The Waterfall dismisses them to make their preparations and get back to them once they are ready for the teleportation to the ship.
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Meanwhile, during your preparations, Eando finds them first.
"I am very disappointed at the mission’s secrecy as well as how far away you’ll be from Society support," he rants. "But I trust in your abilities." He then gives each character six pieces of sampling ammunition (Pathfinder Dark Archive 63) of a type up to each of them.
"I ask you to collect samples from as many of Conference Z’s experiments as possible while you are in the laboratory." He then shows them a trick on how to use the ammunition like a sampling vial outside of combat. He also strongly recommends that they destroy anything on the island that could be a threat to future Pathfinder teams or to accidental visitors to the site, reminding them of the Vigilant Seal’s “protect, contain, destroy” motto. He gives each of them a hearty handshake, and then leaves them be.
Valais joins the team soon after Eando departs.
"If a Conference Z lab is actually on this island, there may be sentient creatures or animals still alive at their destination." Looking pointedly at each of them, she expresses her fervent belief that any being that is experimented upon deserves pity and mercy, rather than the sword (suggesting that she might have overheard Kline’s discussion).
"Radiant Oath would prefer to hear that you provided aid whenever possible, but I trust that you do what you feel is right." Before departing, she gifts each of them with one piece of cinnamon seers candy (Pathfinder Treasure Vault 47).
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"I heard of Conference Z, before my Pathfinder days. Apparently they get special training to prevent them from being questioned, no matter how... er, fervent... the questioner is. They also study other planes and planets, plus more even I don't know about.
"The sword may be mercy for their experiments..."
Jiki takes the ammunition as arrows, and is willing to take any that are unused by agents whose training does not include ranged weapons.
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Raindrop squints at Eando a little, thinking about all of the other times her group was sent as far from 'society support' as possible.
She declines the oversized ammunition, but gladly accepts the candy.
Pocketing a scroll of mountain resilience, she prepares herself for teleportation.
Her eidolon, for his part, stands near her. It is hard to tell if the great beast is excited or bored. Probably both.
Once their preparatory hour is complete, the Pathfinders reassemble in a ritual chamber not far from the Waterfall’s office. Three hooded and cloaked spellcasters await them alongside the Decemvirate member. After wishing them luck on their mission, she gives them a bag of holding (type III) for any items they find, then directs them to step inside a circle inscribed with runes and esoteric equations, instructing that they stand extremely close together.
Once the spellcasting is complete, the walls of Skyreach fade from around them, replaced with the bright skies of the open ocean and a sharp breath of sea foam. They find themselves standing inside a crudely drawn chalk circle just behind a merchant vessel’s frontal mast and weasel-shaped figurehead. One of the , Jiki the Flatulist, is instead caught up in the ship’s rigging about 10 feet above the others.
“Look lively and loosen those braces! I’ll not have our friends hangin’ from any yardarms now!” The commanding orders are barked out from near the ship’s wheel almost before any new arrivals can take stock of their situation. The crew springs into action, lowering the tangled Pathfinder gently to the ground with the others. Sporting an eye patch only slightly darker than his ashengray skin, the captain hops down from the wheel after handing it off to another sailor and offers a hearty handshake. “‘Gray’ Garret Ramsey at y’er service. Welcome aboard the Misty Misfit, hopefully now with 100% fewer mishaps, yar? Calisro told me we’d learn our final destination once you lot arrived. Care for a nip of rum or whiskey in the galley while ye tell us where we’re headed?”
He invites them below deck to talk. Looking around the ship reveals that every single sailor on board is a retired Pathfinder agent, many sporting tattoos of Wayfinders or older glyphs that haven’t been actively used by the society in nearly a decade, including the symbol of the long-defunct Silver Crusade faction on Ramsey’s arm.
He waits for their response.
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Raindrop doesn't say anything about the magic - another curious bit of trivia, is all.
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"Just a nip will be plenty, if you please - don't want to get completely knackered."
Once they reach the galley, and the scroll is handed over, she explains, "Even we haven't seen those charts yet. We need to get to some island - hopefully that points the way. Once we're there, we'll do the usual poking about and collecting clues, probably fight something nasty, and with luck find a certain chest that ..." she catches herself "... that someone asked us to find."
"Arrr, well then, let me cast me eye upon it!
The captain breaks the wax seal and unrolls the scroll. After studying the navigational charts for a bit, he’ll call out to his crew for a course change.
"Avast, me hearties!" he bellows, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "We be settin' sail for Chalk Island! Raise the anchor and trim the sails!"
He then turns back to the Pathfinders. "Our destination be Chalk Island, named so 'cause when the winds be high and dry, white dust from the island gets stirred up and blown out to sea. We'll be sailin' a full day to reach it, givin' ye plenty o' time to rest and make any preparations ye be needin'. So, ready yerselves, mates, for the journey ahead!" he says and leaves them be.
A day after their arrival on the ship, Captain Ramsey calls the Pathfinders to the deck— Chalk Island is in sight. A cloud of fine white dust seems to hover just above its densely packed, tree-filled interior and sharp-looking, dark green rocks surround its shores on all sides.
"Blast these foul serpentine shoals!" Ramsey curses, his voice thick with frustration. "Drop anchor far from the island, mates! The Misfit's deep draft can't handle these treacherous waters without riskin' severe, possibly catastrophic, damage. We'll not be takin' any chances."
He turns to the Pathfinders, a serious look in his eyes. "Ye'll have to make yer own way ashore in one o' the small boats. Steady hands and sharp eyes, now, for these waters be as dangerous as a shark's bite!"
The crew readies the dingy for them, their sturdy hands and encouraging words helping the Pathfinders down into the small boat. "Fear not, lads and lasses," one of the sailors grins, "ye'll be ashore in no time!"
Garret, the seasoned lookout, nods solemnly to the party. "I'll keep watch for any signs of trouble," he assures them. "If there be danger, I'll light up the sky with fireworks as a signal for ye to return to the boat. But best be quick about yer business, for haste might be the best course for all."
With the whole crew wishing them fair winds and smooth sailing, the Pathfinders shove off from the Misty Misfit, and they begin their journey to Chalk Island.
As they approach, there are indeed rocks that Captain Ramsey pointed out upon the ship’s arrival. While these are indeed razor-sharp, it looks like they don’t ring the entire perimeter of the island.
Zarina - ???
Kohl - ???
Jiki - ???
Raindrop - ???
Hobbs - ???
Isaku - ???
Zarina, after casting a spell that allows her to breathe underwater and grants her fins for enhanced swimming, scans the depths with ease.
Khols, with his sharp eyes, quickly identifies safe pathways devoid of sharp rocks for navigation.
Jiki tiptoes to get a better view of the surroundings, surprisingly improving his vantage point.
Raindrop and her eidolon locate a safe route to row their boat closer to the coast.
Hobbs sticks his head underwater and communicates with dolphins (instead of fish) swimming alongside them. They direct him to the safest route with their noses.
Once they get past the rocky area, they discover that the rocky terrain is illusory and find a safe landing zone.
After arriving on the island proper, the Pathfinders discover the wreckage of a small Ulfen longboat broken in half on the rocky coastline.
When they begin to trek inland from the coast, they soon find that the seemingly impermeable growth of trees they saw from the ship is also an illusory manipulation, hiding a rocky interior with only a few trees dotted around.
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Once on shore, a soaking wet Zarina regains her human form and wades onto shore. She then helps beach the boat before reclaiming her gear and drying off before putting it all back on again.
Wow. That's some powerful illusions around this place
That wreck looks like it's only been here for a week ... and *sniffs* huh, talc and soapstone. No wonder this place is dusty.
She decides to wear a damp cloth over her nose and mouth - just in case.
Zarina easily determines what is with the wreckage and also identifies the reason why the island is dusty. She covers her nose and mouth to avoid inhaling such chemicals.
Continuing on, the Pathfinders find a small talc quarry half a mile inland. From afar, it seems that somebody is lying on the ground next to what looks like a campsite.
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Back at the wreckage...
Hobbs examines the remains of the longboat.
"Hmm...It appears that this craft has been salvaged of all useful items. That likely points to survivors. From the looks of things they've been stranded here for about a week."
As the group comes across the campsite Hobbs stops. "We don't want to startle that person unnecessarily. I'll attempt to wake him gently."
Hobbs invokes his magic and whispers to the person at the campsite. "Wake up, wake up. Do not be startled. You are rescued."
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Raindrop claps almost involuntarily when Zarina resurfaces. "That was really cool!"
"Also... yeah, weird rep for a place that's not actually that hard to land on."
She flies over the last bit of water to the beach, while her eidolon makes a powerful leap from the prow to land next to her.
Once the reach the camp (?), Raindrop starts down with the others excitedly, but pulls up at Hobbs's words.
"Oh. Uh, yeah. Okay, try that," she says, but her wings flex like they're about to snap a leash.
Hobbs gets no response from somebody lying on the ground near its campsite when he tries to magically communicate with it from a distance.
They approach the site and instead find a dead orc woman with hair braided in Ulfen style who lies near a rudimentary campsite at the edge of the quarry, next to two shallow graves. Her body has no visible injuries, but her skin is shrunken and desiccated. The graves have grave markers using a +1 striking battle axe and a wooden shield with a lesser retaliation property rune affixed to it. Neither weapon nor shield looks like they have seen recent use.
it is revealed that she died of old age despite her only being in her mid- 30s, suggesting supernatural forces at work. It also looks like the graves were dug by hand sometime in the last few days.
Checking the quarry, a windowless rectangular structure roughly two stories tall sits at the center of the landmass. Though it looks to have been fashioned from the existing rocks of the island, it’s evident this is some sort of building. As if to drive that point home, a dead body lies crumpled next to a stone door covered with ominous glyphs.
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"Ohh, poor woman. What a sad, strange way to go."
"Okay, that building looks creepy as anything, and everyone needs to be super careful about inhaling any of that dust. powder. stuff."
The sprite ties a wet cloth around her face for protection. The eidolon looks at her curiously, his head tilted to one side, and she just waves him off. "Yeah, yeah, I know - you're not really real. Cheater."
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"Okay, that building looks creepy as anything, and everyone needs to be super careful about inhaling any of that dust. powder. stuff."
"That makes sense. Asbestos fibers are no joke." Hobbs dunks a handkerchief in some pickle juice and secures it over his nose and mouth and heads into the quarry to investigate the glyphs on the door.