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1) I am based in Southeast Asia (UTC +8) so my posting hours may be unusual (especially for those in North America). I usually update at least one or twice per day. Just to keep the game moving, please post at least once every day and at least once during the weekend.
2) Please keep all posts and communication in all channels limited to a PG-13 level and be both positive and inclusive.
3) Please label all three of your actions. Even if you think what you are doing is obvious.
4) If I am unavailable for longer than 24 hours, I will let you know in the Discussion Tab. Out of respect for your fellow players and myself, I ask that you do the same. Real life happens, and real life will always take priority over the game, but out of fairness for your fellow players, please let us know if you will be unavailable for an extended period of time.
5) Please note that on the following days, my posting can get unpredictable:
Tuesday/Thursdays - all day, as they are the 2 busiest days of my work week
6) Please complete the Macros and the Slides linked at the top of the page.
7) Questions, concerns? Feel free to share them in the Discussion tab.
8) Let's have some fun and tell a great story together! After all, that's what we are here for.
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An elven woman plays away on her piccolo. Her clothing is rather plain but animals seem to follow her movements for a few minutes before she shoos them away.
While the townsfolk like it, she thinks it's a pretty lousy rendition of The Sun Blazes Again.
Deroff howls and she stops to quiet him down and stop scaring people. At least 3 guards reached for their weapons when they saw the wolf walk past them. "Hush now. You'll frighten everyone." She huffs as she heads to her assignment.
The Pathfinder Society left her alone for months, and she was enjoying her old life again. Her friend in the city is doing well despite constant headaches. Her uncle was on a long journey again, probably chasing women and dealing with the punishments. Guiding people through forests didn't pay much but it didn't get her nearly killed, either.
"Howdy ya'll. I'm Miladistra. Pleased to meet ya."
A wolf squeezes alongside Miladistra, almost the size of a small wagon. Someone small could ride him like a horse. Mildistra's still a bit too big, so she simply skips alongside him for now.
Patiently allows pettings and shows of affection from Miladistra's soon to be teammates.
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A male human nods to you, with short black hair and a goatee. He wears fine clothing in black and burgundy, with gold trim. A tiny green snake is draped over his shoulders.
”Delorn Malix, Esquire. Sorceror by birth, barrister by trade. I have a silver tongue, a steel-trap mind, and the fires of Hell at my command”
He declines to pet Deroff.
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A somewhat small and indistinct kayal , whose skin appears to be absent of color and partially void of substance, steps into the edge of town. They wear fashionable yet functional clothing underneath a somewhat bulky half plate that fits well and has a series of dots and lines etched into it forming what appears to be constellations. At their side is a kukri and a starknife with a central grip that depicts a silver dragon whose neck, wings, and tail wrap around the blades. Lastly, a moon-shaped medallion is worn around their neck and rests atop the armor.
Hearing a pleasant tune, the kayal follows to hear it more fully and soon finds themself looking at a crowd. Taking note of the wolf but not bothered by it's presence, they step forward, "Zenith. Just Zenith. By the stars I'll protect you, should you need protecting" they smile slightly. They then kneel down with their hand outstretched, palm open, to welcome the wolf. Zenith will gladly pet him.
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"Ah... he's not a d-" Miladistra holds her tongue as Deroff accepts all affection and gives it back.
She sighs. "It's good to meet ya'll. If yer representing the stars, and yer dealing with Hell itself, I guess I'm in the middle. I'm more of a forest type. Hometown is small, maybe a hundred people or so." She holds Deroff to stop him from licking everyone's face. "Like Mister Esquire I tap into the magic I was born with. So I'll let you armored types take the front."
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You have been invited to stay overnight in the comfortable Harakan House on the grounds of Heidmarch Manor. After Ebrylis helps settle you at the cottage, Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch sends you a note inviting you to a mission briefing over breakfast coffee and rolls in the lounge of her private residence at Heidmarch Manor.
"If you’ve all finished breakfast, we can get back to business." Sheila Heidmarch snaps her fingers as a few servants run in to clean up the remains of the coffee and rolls that were served in the study of Heidmarch Manor. Sheila Heidmarch straightens her velvet robes as she stands by the fireplace. "I need you to escort an item back to the Grand Lodge. While cataloging some items from an old vault, a group of novice Pathfinders recently discovered a unique wayfinder, which we’re calling the wayfinder of the open road. Instead of pointing north, it points to the nearest entrance or exit to the Maze of the Open Road."
Sheila pauses to pull a small globe from the mantle of the fireplace and spin it. "The Society has been working on building alliances and new chapters of the Lantern Lodge in different locations throughout Tian Xia. In the past year, we were made aware of an ancient underworld dragon in that region. Valashinaz is a repository of ancient knowledge and her vaults hold an unrivaled collection of survival and adventuring gear. She’s shown herself to be open to trades of magical items and scientific innovations, and her influence could open doors for us all over the continent."
Sheila puts the globe back down, frowning. "However, it is customary to open negotiations with a gift, and Valashinaz has a weakness for novel items. We were stymied trying to find a gift she didn’t already have. With its unique ability, the wayfinder of the open road is exactly what we need to pique Valashinaz’s interests. Your task is simple: deliver this wayfinder to the Grand Lodge, where Ambrus Valsin will assemble a diplomatic delegation. It’ll be a short trip through the Maze of the Open Road. Just follow the needle to find the portal to enter the maze, then take these directions to the Grand Lodge." Sheila slides a map across the table. "I wouldn’t normally send such experienced agents on a delivery errand, but things have been quiet around here lately, and I suspect Ambrus will have something else for you to take care of.
"[b]Questions?"
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At breakfast a short olive-skinned human male with black hair bound in a turban and a neatly-trimmed black beard joins the group in the lounge. He is dressed in a loose shirt and trousers with a wide belt, all looking well suited to warm weather. He leans on a old wooden staff with very new bindings as he comes to a halt. "Khaldan, my apologies for not meeting up with you last night - I arrived rather late in the evening." he says with a rueful chuckle.
After listening to the briefing, Khaldan will respond "Given the issues with the maze that I have read in the chronicles, an experienced group may indeed be a wise choice. Hopefully it will be an uncomplicated journey though."
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She sighs. "It's good to meet ya'll. If yer representing the stars, and yer dealing with Hell itself, I guess I'm in the middle. I'm more of a forest type. Hometown is small, maybe a hundred people or so." She holds Deroff to stop him from licking everyone's face. "Like Mister Esquire I tap into the magic I was born with. So I'll let you armored types take the front."
"Forest is my second home. That is, when I'm not trying to find a viewpoint for the night sky," Zenith relates, and was going to let Deroff lick their face before Miladistra holds him back. Next time... they think.
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Zenith listens, puzzled, why they were called for a 'simple task' when they were enjoying their hiatus. "The stars told me new life or information are coming into the world. Perhaps it was a reference to this wayfinder of the open road. Has it helped discovered any new information, or have we learned about its origins, before the recent discovery?"
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Sheila invites you to her office upstairs so you can view the wayfinder of the open road for yourselves. The top of the tower serves not just as Sheila’s home office, but also doubles as the manor’s tearoom. Here, Sheila can serve her guests a variety of coffees, teas, and cordials, and the glass windows offer a 360-degree view of the estate. As Sheila reaches her folding secretarial desk, she pauses. "Wait! It was just here." Her normal air of calm control completely gone, she falls to her knees and immediately searches the area around the desk.
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Khaldan will look around the desk but then quickly focus on the floor and follow a path to a window. Opening the window, Khaldan will say "aha, it looks like someone has gone to great lengths to find your wayfinder Sheila!" and will point out the crossbow bolt sticking out of the window frame. "There is a damp trail from the window to the desk - I think an intruder may have come in and helped themselves to the item."
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A several centuries old elf, in full plate regalia, stands straight as a pole. His pure white hair forms like a halo around his sunburned face. A sinister look give him an air of grim determination and regal authority.
Strangely, with his pristine armor, decorated with flying dragons, he wears a lots of bits and bolts packed; broken holy symbols, scrap metal of diverse origins... On one side, a weapon who seems to be burning, as smoke gets out of its scabbard and on his hand a magnifiscent scepter with a head like the one of a golden dragon.
With a voice softer than expected, he presents himself after a short bow.
Greeting, I'm Elonded Firehand, servant of Ragathiel.
I've heard that something is missing. I can help.
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Shiela turns to Khaldan. "Just me, Canayven, Ambrus Valsin, and a few members of the local staff knew of the Wayfinder. Canayven is the other venture-captain of Heidmarch Manor, as well as my husband. We manage affairs out of this lodge together. While I typically handle mission briefings and other social tasks, he has knack for behind-the-scenes logistics."
Before you can investigate much further, the floor to Sheila’s office shakes and teapots rattle on the shelves as the sounds of an explosion reverberate elsewhere on the grounds. Multiple voices shout, "Fire! The alchemy lab’s on fire!"
Rushing out, you see flames coming off the ground floor of a nearby building, Eurythnia House, as acrid smoke billows out the windows. A dozen other Pathfinders have started to form a bucket brigade leading from the pond and there are other efforts underway to calm the flames.
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"Cheese and Crackers!" Miladistra braces as the ground shakes.
"Huh, looks like someone is stalling for time. But we have to put out that fire!"
"The first thing to do is to figure out if it's an oil fire, or a wood fire. Water's no good on an oil fire, you want more dirt and sand to suffocate the flame." Miladistra directs the bucket brigade to seek out more soil.
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The other residents of Heidmarch Manor can only look on with awe as the visiting Pathfinders operate like an elite fire brigade. The fire is out in short order.
Entering the premises, you find that several locked fire-resistant cupboards and their alchemical contents are still intact and the residence in the upper half of Eurythnia House remains livable. A dwarf stumps towards you. "Name's Wumbrout Brios. I'm the custodian here. You did good saving Eurythnia House. You saved not only the lab, but the guest apartments upstairs. Only right you get some of the goods you helped preserve." He provides each of you with a pair of lesser elixir of life and a moderate eagle-eye elixir.
Soon after these events, Heidmarch Manor’s other venture-captain, Sir Canayven Heidmarch (NG male human Taldan manager) approaches you with a look of consternation. Dressed practically in sturdy leather pants and a chainmail shirt, Canayven hastily scrawls something in his notebook, then rips the page out and hands it to you. He says tersely, "Find those thieving arsonists."
Heidmarch Manor was founded by the adventurer-aristocrats Sheila and Sir Canayven Heidmarch as a Pathfinder training center. The outgoing Sheila Heidmarch soon became the face of the organization, and the venturecaptain most likely to give mission briefings. Meanwhile, Sir Canayven has focused chiefly on supplies and logistics, arguing that the correct gear is critical to any mission. One of the manor staff, Ekkie, recently had a large party celebrating the final discharge of her debt to the Pathfinder Society. Ekkie is a goblin who started her career burglarizing Bakrakhan House to impress a local gang. However, the Pathfinders who caught her recruited her away from her life of crime. She now teaches useful life skills to novice Pathfinders, offering classes in tomb exploration and trap avoidance. Additionally, she serves as a mentor figure to goblins entering the Society.
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Pathfinders,
Signs point to this theft being partly an inside job. As the most recent visitors to Heidmarch Manor, you’re the least likely to have been personally involved in this case. I would like you to conduct a thorough investigation. Here are some avenues where you can start:
• Investigate the two potential crime scenes: Sheila’s office and the Alchemy Lab at Eurythnia House.
• Interview the eyewitnesses to the fire.
• Ask around the lodge and find out if there are witnesses that have not come forward yet, and what they know.
• If you need to investigate any personal residences on the grounds of Heidmarch Manor, consider this your warrant. At the same time, don’t abuse this power. Wait until you have at least some evidence before invading the privacy of our visitors, guests, staff and students.
Do inform me of any of your findings,
Sir Canayven Heidmarch
Venture Captains The two venture-captains of this lodge are a pair of married aristocrats who pay the lodge’s expenses with their own funds.
* Sir Canayven Heidmarch (male human Taldan manager). Sir Canayven handles the logistics and supplies of the lodge, making sure that Pathfinders stay well-supplied.
* Sheila Heidmarch (female human Taldan diplomat). The outgoing and fashionable face of Heidmarch manor, Sheila gives nearly all mission briefings.
Heidmarch Manor Staff
*Ebrylis (male half-elf guard). A stalwart and reliable long-term employee of Heidmarch Manor, Ebrylis is often the first face that greets guests and Pathfinders alike.
*Ekkie (female goblin scout). A former thief that once stole from the Pathfinder Society, Ekkie now teaches classes on traps and dungeon exploration.
*Helvi Durner (female human Varisian cook). Deaf from birth, Helvi is known around the lodge for her boisterous laugh as much as for her flaky breakfast rolls.
*Wumbrout Brios (male dwarf custodian). More than just a custodian, Wumbrout oversees the day-to-day operations of the Meeting House, including its rigorous class and training schedule.
Pathfinder Novices
*Ingrit (non-binary human Ulfen wizard). Ingrit hails from Kalsgard in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. They came here looking for better magical libraries than could be found at home.
*Tagheema (female human Keleshite fighter). The athletic Tagheema is from Solku in Katapesh and is known for her abilities on horseback. When not training, she frequently volunteers time grooming the horses in Heidmarch Manor’s stable.
*Tiki Stitchfeather (female goblin alchemist). Tiki hails from the Crookedtoe tribe, a tribe that once lived in the southern Fangwood forest but was displaced by the Whispering Tyrant. Quiet and shy, she’s an avid naturalist and alchemy student
You're also given a pearly white spindle aeon stone and a Greater Everyneed Pack to aid with the investigation.
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"Yes, the office seems as good a place to start as any!" Khaldan will reply to Elondel and Miladistra.
However he will then turn to the venture captain and ask "Although if you wouldn't mind Sir Canayven, could you keep a watch on the laboratory here until we get back and are able to search it please?"
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As they climb back towards the office, Khaldan will quietly relate what he recalls to the group "So I hear that this place has been set up as training school by the two venture captains. Ekkie, the goblin scout, has only just completed her term of service to the society after her previous indiscretion and had a party to celebrate. While her quick bio sounds sketchy, it seems she has been a mentor to goblins joining the Society and has been teaching tomb exploration and trap avoidance. I think we should ask about that party - who was there and if anything unusual happened."
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You head back to Shiela's office: