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An obvious Ifrit from his burning read eyes, Micah is tall with toned muscles. he wears simple but shiny light armor and has a polished walnut crossbow slung across his back along with a well crafted pack. The image carefully stitched on his cloak shows a triple-headed ibis, with wings that burn and eyes of flame. Those with some rare knowledge of religion or planar beings may recognize him to be a follower of Atreia, an Elemental Lord.
He speaks with a crackling and spitting voice, almost like that of a campfire hissing as it burns, "This the place? Hmmm."
Next to him is a horse-like creature wreathed in constant flame. Body doesn’t quite seem like it is actually a horse, but more like if you described a horse to a person who had never seen one and they were pretty good at drawing.
It speaks as well!
"Of course it is. Don't you see all the other agents? Plus, I never get us lost. You're the one that can't navigate between two shops next door to each other."
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An androgynous, elf-like humanoid stands a little apart from the rest of the group, studying a book stamped with the Glyph of the Open Road while they wait for the briefing to begin. They have golden skin and hair and copper-colored eyes, and wear a breastplate over a heavy, worn leather duster. This person has a longsword and quiver hanging from their belt, a wayfinder on a chain around their neck, and a short bow, shield, and pack on their back. They nod silent greetings to the other Pathfinders as they arrive, but their attention seems to be mostly on their book, with occasional thoughtful glances at the nearby Spire of Nex.
The arrival of the ifrit and his fiery, talking companion, however, piques the aphorite’s curiosity, and they finally speak aloud. ”Greetings. My name is Allaranion.”
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A short, dark-skinned human emerges from the surroundings, her hand resting on a small stegosaurus that follows her like a puppy. "Am I in the right place? Pathfinders, yes?" she asks uncertainly. Looking at their surroundings"This is...nice, I guess. Nothing like the jungles at home. I'm Koli and this is Thor," pointing at the dinosaur.
Her left hand is covered in a strange metal tube with a half moon shaped blade emerging from the end, while a heavily spiked wooden shield covers her right. She looks ready for battle, though the "puppy" at her side does detract a little from the fearsome persona she's projecting.
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Allanarion views the other new arrivals with interest as well, and they remove their pack to carefully stow the tome they were reading. "Excellent. This mission is already proving more interesting than my first assignment, and I haven't even been briefed yet," they murmur to themselves in very satisfied tones.
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A sizable human man, dressed in a peasant's frock and apron, stumbles onto the scene A bandolier, holding a few tin mugs and several flasks, is slung over his shoulder. A rapier dangles loosely from his belt. A leather band around his neck waves through the handle of a small, wooden tankard, instantly identifying his chosen deity.
Upon spying the assembly of hoofs, armored plates, humanoids, and circuits, the man stops, squints, and rubs his eyes. Opening his eyes again, he blinks a few times, then inquires, "Pathfinders, I trust?"
The man still doesn't seem quite certain, but extends a hand in greetings anyway. "I'm a Pathfinder, too, I guess. A few daysssat a time, anyways." Noting the slur in his speech, he pauses for a moment. After stifling a belch, he continues, "The name's Moe. I've got a last name too, but 'fraid it ain't worth too much, no more."
He corrects his balance, then adds. "Though, if I'm bein' honest. Not sure my first name is worth all that much either. But, my fists..." He holds up a pair of calloused, meaty hands. "I've been placin' a good bit of value in them of late."
Sorina Westyr, the Society Master of Spells, addresses the assembly. “Pathfinders—welcome and well timed. Please, make your ways to the designated safe areas quickly and carefully, and please mind the wards. Try to keep the paths clear, as we have some very delicate equipment coming through. I have some amazing discoveries to share in just a few more moments.”
Starlight brightens the grassy plain surrounding the immense Spire of Nex. Overhead, a comet lazily streaks across the night sky. Heavily armed patrols guard the perimeter, and the shadow of great wings occasionally blots out the stars. Sharp flashes of amethyst light, quick shouts, and chanting briefly periodically rise above the waiting crowd’s chatter as spellcasters hurriedly construct and maintain crackling wards. These efforts revolve around a thirty-foot-tall upright gleaming metal ring constructed at the Spire’s base.
Allanarion recalls that The Spire of Nex is a mile-high column of smooth grey stone a few hours north of Absalom. The Archmage Nex constructed the Spire during his unsuccessful siege of Absalom in 166 ar. The Spire has no obvious entrances on any surface, but is said to have contained Nex’s armies. The building seems to bend both space and magic around itself.
Micah hears that Absalom is all abuzz with numerous and colorful tales about the sudden appearance of a new light in the night sky. Fortunetellers and doomsayers crowd the streets, shouting stories and warnings of what this portends. Messengers have been arriving in the Grand Lodge from around the Inner Sea with tales of strange gateways appearing around the world. Scholars have attended closed-door meetings with Master of Spells Sorrina Westyr to discuss this phenomenon as well as a sudden upheaval in the Elemental Planes. An ambassador from the elves of Kyonin met with members of the Decemvirate. Shortly afterward, the Society’s leaders commissioned scribes to copy a number of elven scrolls concerning the solar system and interplanetary travel.
Koli and Allanarion can't seem to get anyone's attention.
A page approaches your group, handing you a small cache of supplies. The bag contains a single wand of cure light wounds with 10 charges, as well as 2 pouhes of air crystals, a potion of ensure elements and a snapleaf for each agent. There is also a note indicating that this mission will likely extend beyond Golarion's atmosphere and into a low-gravity environment.
Ponya rolls his eyes, "Yeah. Great deduction there. Excellent work. Now you gonna give me that potion or what? You know I'm the one that needs to stay comfortable. I'm already grumpy."
A tiny mechanical creature peeks out from behind Dora's shoulder.
Sorrina Westyr, the Pathfinder Society’s returning Master of Spells, hurriedly concludes conversations before stepping onto the platform in front of a giant metal ring the Society has constructed. The starlight glimmers in her crystalline white hair, though her obsidian oread features are visible only in flashes from the nearby glowing wards.
“I thank you all for traveling here on such short notice, Pathfinders. A unique opportunity has come to us from the stars. The asteroid Aucturn’s Tear quietly travels our solar system once every fifty-six years. For the first time it now flares with brilliance. We have learned this phenomenon is the work of an entity trapped on Aucturn’s Tear and, whatever this being is, it is calling out for help. We do not know its intentions, yet it is in our interest to learn more. If it is benevolent, it may prove a powerful ally and friend to the Society if we can free it. If it is malevolent, then we will do what we can to ensure it stays sealed away where it can do no harm.
“As it approaches planets, the entity has opened gateways in magic-dense regions, as if calling out to powerful champions that might come to its aid. Based on our calculations, the first of these gateways on Golarion should appear in a matter of minutes, and we have gathered in this magically infused site to draw the portal here and stabilize it, allowing us to travel to the asteroid ourselves. Our observations show billowing clouds pouring out from three locations on Aucturn’s Tear. These both create a livable environment we can navigate as well as provide three entrances to the asteroid’s interior so that we can find the source of these events. The first entrance is at the base of an enormous crater, where there are monumental fortifications—likely making that the most difficult approach. The second plume is coming from the remnants of a frozen fortress, which could contain incredible secrets in its own right. The third plume is coming from the sunward side of the comet and is issuing from a number of lava tubes. Our observers also spotted the wreck of a metal craft near there.
“This will be an unusual environment, so prepare for unusual conditions: extreme temperatures, low-gravity, and airless pockets are likely. Everyone should have received a package of supplies to assist in managing these hazards. While the gateway should remain stable, a contingent of conjurers is staying here to monitor it, and additional teams are on standby to provide escape routes to extradimensional shelters in case of complications. Perhaps most importantly, we’ve ringed this area with defenses to prevent any outside interference with this expedition, and the bronze dragon Ahelvetinn has agreed to keep watch in case any evil attempts to escape through the gateway into Golarion.”
The Spire of Nex begins to hum, the vibrations creating a stomach-churning resonance as a pinpoint of light appears in the center of the portal ring and begins to grow. Sorrina Westyr shouts to be heard over the deafening noise, “It’s beginning! Be ready to move through and split into teams to investigate each of the three possible approaches. Once we’re inside we can regroup and compare notes.”
The metal of the portal ring incandesces, and a blast of freezing air pours out as the gateway opens. The place beyond is a field of jagged grey stone, and once several dozen Pathfinders step through, the earth itself springs to life in the form of countless elemental creatures that swarm toward the gate. From further in, a terrible draconic roar accompanies the appearance of a flight of crystalline dragons sweeping out from the lip of a crater.
“Secure the gate! Do not let any of them through!” Westyr shouts as she sends a lance of swirling black and white energy into one of the wyrms, sending it careening end over end as the forces meet.
As you pass through the ring, you find yourself on a ridge not far from a giant impact crater. The temperature is comfortable and the lighting normal. A pair of creatures who seem to be made of the same substance as the surface arise and move toward you in a hostile manner.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Moe
Koli
Dora 2
Micah
Red
Thor
Allanarion
Blue
The fiery horse moves up and readies a bite for any enemy that comes at him, ”You won’t get past me!”
for
for
Koli considers the situation.
The red-tinged creature charges at Dora.
She deftly gets out of the way.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Moe
Koli (delay)
Dora 2
Micah
Red (-2 AC)
Thor
Allanarion
Blue
Allanarion identifies these creatures as small earth elementals, outsiders with the earth, elemental and extraplanar subtypes. They have no weakness or resistance other than those common to elementals.
Koli sends Thor into position, though the reddish elemental takes a swipe at the dinosaur.
It misses its swing. Unfortunately, so do the Pathfinder and her companion.
A final Pathfinder rushes through the gate.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Moe
Dora 2
Micah
Red (-2 AC)
Koli
Thor
Allanarion
Blue
Torrin Garr
Allanarion moves into position and shares his information.
The bluish elemental moves towards the scary demon horse and takes a swing at it.
Bonk!
Round 1-2 - bolded may go
Moe
Dora 2
Micah and Ponya (-7 HP)
Red (-2 AC)
Koli
Thor
Allanarion
Blue
Torrin Garr
The awesome elemental fire horse of doom laughs at the pain, steps back and chomps again!
for