Dot and delete if you are playing.
The PCs receive letters instructing them to meet Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng outside the main gates of the Grand Lodge at noon in formal attire.
Although I will not start the game until the opening day, you may all introduce your characters as you arrive at the gate and indulge in a bit of pre-game role play. Take your time and have fun with this as this shindig is not scheduled to begin until September 9. Or just skip it if you prefer to until the start date :)
I hear the sound of crickets. Anyone want to jump in and RP a bit?
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Tempestas ... formal attire ... two things that don't usually go together. Still, he gives it a try and ends up looking like a butler and feeling rather uncomfortable.
He waits for the others and Dreng, to show up, hoping this isn't one of Dreng's pranks to pull on beginning Pathfinders. If this is a prank - it's NOT funny.
Tempestas is a short, stock lashunta and carries two swords.
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A young lady in relatively formal attire waits at the giant main gate of Grand Lodge.
"Greetings, my name is Kihel Rosenthal, it is truly a pleasure to meet you all. I am a linguist, a librarian, and a master of persuasion. My repertoire of skills allows me to navigate complex social situations with ease, and I have the power to inspire and rally my allies in battle."
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I basically hit things and bodyguards grumbles Tempestas.
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A pale, slender (even for an elf) elf arrives. He is wearing perfectly tailored courtier's clothing that could have come straight from the benighted halls of the lords of Ustalav. The matching jewels and jewelry twinkle like remote stars in the night dark clothing.
"Vangral. I make bad things happen to bad people, which is good for good people. Oh my friends, some of this simply won't do," he says, then bustles around adjusting people's outfits, even pulling out a very fine kit of needles, threads and scissors at one point to assist.
Whether appreciated or not, Vangral does a fine job tidying the others up.
The fall rains have come early this year, and a chill wind blows off the waters of Absalom’s harbor, bringing with it the smell of a storm somewhere far off at sea. Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng hurries down the street in a most unusual outfit for the aging Venture-Captain: some sort of blue military uniform complete with a green sash displaying a pair of ornate medals and a black umbrella, joining the pack of pathfinders already assembled.
“Ah, there you all are,” he half-mutters to himself. “Is everyone here?”
Without waiting for an answer, he turns on his heels and heads off at a brisk pace, occasionally turning around to make sure everyone is keeping up.
If you rolled a 17:
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"Such fine skill are most welcomed. You have my gratitude."Kihel gladly let Vangral adjust her dress. "If we are needed in a formal social gathering tonight, hopefully it won't be held at the Blakros Museum." she added."A museum eh? Do they serve food for those events?"
She takes a deep breath, then answers "The Museum does not have the appropriate facilities for such occasion, but the owner family has been a generous patron of our organization and our researching efforts..."
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Whether appreciated or not, Vangral does a fine job tidying the others up.
The fall rains have come early this year, and a chill wind blows off the waters of Absalom’s harbor, bringing with it the smell of a storm somewhere far off at sea. Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng hurries down the street in a most unusual outfit for the aging Venture-Captain: some sort of blue military uniform complete with a green sash displaying a pair of ornate medals and a black umbrella, joining the pack of pathfinders already assembled.
“Ah, there you all are,” he half-mutters to himself. “Is everyone here?”
Without waiting for an answer, he turns on his heels and heads off at a brisk pace, occasionally turning around to make sure everyone is keeping up.** spoiler omitted **[/spoiler]
"Wow those are some fancy threads! You weren't kidding when you said to dress in formal attire. So what's the big hurry and what kind of event are we going to?"
With his superior movement Ekadan easily keeps pace with the VC as he asks questions.
"Wow those are some fancy threads! You weren't kidding when you said to dress in formal attire. So what's the big hurry and what kind of event are we going to?"
“So you’re wondering where I’m dragging you, eh? Seven years ago I sent young agents much like yourselves on a preliminary exploration of the necropolis below the Drownyard in the Precipice Quarter. The Drownyard is the name that was given to the old Tri-Towers School, once home to some of Absalom’s wealthiest progeny. It was destroyed in the great earthquake of 4698 AR, and we thought that all of the children, teachers, and staff had perished.”
“But let be back up a bit. Eight years ago, the Society discovered an ancient necropolis under the Drownyard. It dates back to the third century AR, and if you know anything about Absalom’s history, you’ll know that we know almost nothing about those early years. It took me almost an entire year of negotiating with the parents of the children who died in the Tri-Towers Yard to convince them to grant us access to the site, and when we did, what did we find? A lot of spooky stuff: undead, haunts, and some nasty bugs. But we also found something completely unexpected: a survivor. A little slip of a girl named Junia Dacilane somehow survived in a death-like state for 10 years. The only thing that kept her alive was a ring of sustenance that she had found among the crypts. Junia’s mother, Lady Miranda Dacilane, was of course beside herself when we pulled her living daughter from the ruins and she vowed to not only give the Society full access to the property, but personally underwrite our archaeological efforts there. Soon thereafter I set up an archaeological dig at the Drownyard, and we’ve been pulling out fascinating fragments from Absalom’s early history ever since. Every year I visit Lady Dacilane to renew our contract to maintain the dig, but this year it seems that she wants us to jump through an additional hoop. She wants us, or rather you, to escort her daughter back to the Drownyard. It seems that Junia’s become a bit obsessed with her alma mater, and since the Precipice Quarter is no place for pampered young noblewomen, she needs an escort. Think you can manage that?”
Without giving the PCs a chance to interrupt him, he quickly adds, “Oh, and don’t forget to call the Drownyard the Tri-Towers Yard while we’re at Dacilane Manor. No one who lost children in the earthquake likes to be reminded of that tragedy… even the ones who got their child back.”
DC 15 open this
DC 20 open this
The Tri-Towers Yard is haunted. The spirits of the children who perished in the earthquake are unable to reach their final rest. For nearly a decade, a man named Deris Marlinchen, the father of one of the young victims, wandered the yard, speaking to spirits no one else could see. Since his departure seven years ago, the haunts at the old school have grown increasingly malevolent.
So ... why are we dressed up as if we're going to a formal dinner then? Tempestas asks.
"Because the invitation was from 'Lady' Miranda Dacilane. Lady is a title and they have their own ways of doing things, and formal attire is one of them. If one want's to be taken seriously one has to play the part."
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Ekadan fires off some questions for VC Dreng, "What happened to the young agents you sent into the Tri-Towers Yard seven years ago? If they still survive, and are in Absalom, can we talk to them? What kind of 'undead, haunts, and some nasty bugs' were found? Any idea how Junia Dacilane managed to evade those hazards? Define 'a bit obsessed' please. Are we talking about nostalgia being indulged or something else? Have any agents been inside or to the Arboretum Arcanis? Plants and bugs usually go together so if there's bugs, that might be their source. And what happened to Deris Marlinchen?"
"Well, yes, they did survive, but they are scattered to the four winds as most agents are. No help there. But you should ask Junia herself or her mother what happened there and measure her 'obsession'. Frankly, though I do have the reports from the agents that rescued her, I do not know any more than you about the current state of affairs. All this was communicated by a servant sent to the society. Like I said, I rarely see her family so it will be up to you to figure out what is going on."
"Junia was sustained by a ring and hid in a coffer while in a comatose state. How she entered that state we do not know, though it is a good thing as she would have become insane had she not."
"That was a lot of questions fired off. Did I miss any?"
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Vangral sticks to the back of the group as they walk along, his long legs making his pace seem casual, though he keeps up.
He takes great care in putting away his kit and seems to be too focused on it to be paying attention.
"Most haunts have a good reason for lingering. Or at least a compelling one. It is best to figure out what that reason is and deal with it rather than trying to fight those lost souls," he comments.
"And what a terrible fate. To be trapped inside a sarcophagus for years. Even if she did not sense the passing of time, awakening to find so much time has passed without you must be disorienting."
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Ekadan tells VC Dreng, "Yeah sorry I tend to ask lots of questions. What happened to Deris Marlinchen? He was talking to the spirits of the children but then 'departed' so the spirits grow increasingly malevolent. Did he depart as in die or moved or what? Also I asked about what exact kinds of 'undead, haunts, and some nasty bugs' were found. Would that information be in the reports if you don't remember?"
"Deris moved on to the mainland, or so I hear. As for the undead, those that were found were disposed of. So I expect that, The only one I know of at present is the haunt of Junina's dead classmates. But save your questions for her and her mother. The daughter just turned 18. Oh, and it seems she did not age during the 10 years she was comatose. Nobody knows why, but there it is."
After approximately 10 minutes of walking through the rain, you arrive at your destination, about the time it takes to get all your questions answered (though I'd not be surprised if Ekadan has more questions that get cut off). Dacilane Manor is an imposing four-story townhouse of heavy masonry with a parapet roof that is festooned with numerous leering, demonic gargoyles. After knocking on the door, a middle-aged halfling woman in a large apron answers it. “Please come in. My lady will join you momentarily in the drawing room.”
The interior of Dacilane Manor is just as imposing as the outside. A wide foyer with a grand staircase leads to the second floor, while open double-doors lead into the drawing room. Heavy black draperies cover all the windows, shrouding the manor in shadows. All of the furniture in the common areas is oversized, expensive, and gothic, made of dark-stained mahogany wood.
Lady Dacilane enters a few moments after the PCs and Dreng have gathered in the sitting room. She is a tall, stern-looking, yet attractive Chelaxian woman with sharp features, a fair complexion, and black hair accented with gray and white. She is dressed in a well-made, floor-length black gown streaked through with crimson. A plainlooking silver entagram necklace is her only jewelry.
Dreng immediately jumps up to greet her, bowing and kissing her hand in a formal fashion. He then quickly introduces the PCs before launching into a prepared speech about the importance of Lady Dacilane’s ongoing support of the Society’s activities and the many important artifacts they have been able to recover from the Tri-Towers Yard necropolis. Lady Dacilane listens politely, making a few pro-forma inquiries into several details about the management of the site before getting to the heart of the negotiation and addressing the PCs directly.
“As I am sure Master Dreng has already informed you, I have a particular request of the Pathfinder Society this year. My daughter Junia has recently celebrated her eighteenth birthday, but she maintains a certain obsession with the traumatic events that befell her at the Tri-Towers Yard so many years ago. I have stopped her from sneaking out of the manor and visiting that place several times, and I feel that her past is keeping her from fully embracing her future. I would ask that you accompany her to the gods-forsaken Precipice Quarter and let her see her fill of the decay and misery. Perhaps those sights will cure her of her unnatural obsessions.”
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"Greetings Lady Dacilane, I am Ekadan Joshi. I have a few questions for you about your daughter Junia and the situation. When you say 'obsession with the traumatic events' could you elaborate? Nightmares, dreams, anything like that? Is it focused on a particular person or place within the Tri-Towers Yard? Does it appear to come from within her or more of a compulsion as if something or someone is causing this obsession?"
"As I mentioned, she is obsessed about the friends she lost when they went to that gods-forsaken place and she keeps trying to sneak out and put herself in danger by going there. Eventually she will succeed, so if she is determined to go I want it under competent supervision. Just take here wherever she wishes to go within reason. It is a dangerous place even during daylight hours, so use your best judgment. Let her stay as long as she wishes, but bring her back before nightfall tomorrow. And yes, she has nightmares. A perfectly normal reaction if you ask me. Why would you think there is some compulsion of mental manipulation?"
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"As I mentioned, she is obsessed about the friends she lost when they went to that gods-forsaken place and she keeps trying to sneak out and put herself in danger by going there. Eventually she will succeed, so if she is determined to go I want it under competent supervision. Just take here wherever she wishes to go within reason. It is a dangerous place even during daylight hours, so use your best judgment. Let her stay as long as she wishes, but bring her back before nightfall tomorrow. And yes, she has nightmares. A perfectly normal reaction if you ask me. Why would you think there is some compulsion of mental manipulation?"
"Because of the nature of the obsession. Trying to sneak away to visit a place you have described as dangerous even in daylight hours is not a rational decision. Unless she's been well-trained in some kind of martial or magical discipline that decision looks even worse. Which is why I wondered if there might be some type of compulsion. And unless she's been this way for years it sounds like this is a somewhat recent phenomena."
She just snorts at the whole irrational point.
"She is a teenaged child. If you know anything about human children you would know that being rational and safe is not something they usually practice. Still, it IS a strange world and what she went through is certainly on the wrong side of the bell curve, so just keep an eye on her. Make sure she is safe and if you see anything unusual, let me know..."
"As you know, I am a wealthy woman. I have had a number of experts check her out. They say she carries a number of lasting 'mental scars' and there is nothing a healer can do. Believe me, I have tried. but I have been unable to truly help her."
Firmly, she finishes with "Nevertheless, it is time for her to put her childhood experiences behind her and face her adult responsibilities."
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"I would find it more troubling were she not obsessed with such a troubled past. A trauma that intense takes time to deal with. Sometimes more time than a human has," Vangral says.
"But, returning to the scene will no doubt help her put truth to her memories and reduce how much she is romanticizing or demonizing them. I believe it is actually a good idea. Or...is so long as she has people with her capable of supervising her and protecting her from the dangers of the place.
"We will be glad to help her and you."
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"It would certainly help if the young lady can overcome the source of trauma at its source. The Pathfinder Society does provide support for people with Post-traumatic stress disorder, and we will glady help your daughter." Kihel smiles to Lady Dacilane.
"That being said, the most we could do is to ensure her safety during the trip, fend off whatever danger there may be, and fulfill her whims if possible. However, the young lady herself has to overcome her trauma, and that's something we could not do in her stead."
"Would you like to talk to her? I wanted to discuss matters with you all alone, but she is very excited to meet you all."
You can tell she finds this whole matter a bit distasteful but there is a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Lady Dacilane’s daughter comes bounding down the stairs and into the sitting room a few moments after her mother calls her. She has her mother’s height, black hair, and fine facial features, but that’s where the similarities end. Unlike her mother’s carefully coiffed hair, Junia’s is short and practical, and she carries herself with a confident and unladylike swagger. She is dressed in grey breeches, knee-high leather boots, a white cotton shirt, and an azure blue riding coat with tails with a golden eagle pin on the lapel. Beneath her coat, it is clear that she is wearing a mithral chain shirt.
Any PC from Andoran or a member of the Liberty’s Edge faction immediately recognizes that Junia is attempting to look like a member of the Andoran Eagle Knights. Other PCs may attempt a DC 15 Knowledge (local) check to recognize her attire.
Upon arriving in the drawing room, Junia clicks her heels in a military manner and greets her mother with a mischievous grin. Lady Dacilane immediately turns bright red with embarrassment, reprimanding her daughter for appearing in such a “ridiculous outfit in front of our guests”, and then throws up her hands and storms out of the room without another word.
Junia introduces herself to each of the PCs as not Junia but “J., like the letter”, and shakes everyone’s hand. If the PCs ask about her outfit, she claims that it is just something she threw together, but gives away her true intention with a conspiratorial wink.
Dreng excuses himself at this point, claiming that he is needed back at the Grand Lodge. Before he leaves, he hands over a large, iron key to the PCs, telling them that it opens the wrought iron gates to the Tri-Towers Yard. He warns them that although the necropolis below has been cleared of undead, the partially restored surface structure still holds a dangerous haunt. “Try to stay away from there,” he mutters, “we’ve tried to eliminate it several times, but it keep coming back. If you do need to go in there, take a look in the supply closet, you may find it useful.”
Once the Venture Captain leaves, J. picks up a backpack from a stool in the corner and pulls out a kukri, which she sheathes at her hip. She then straps on the backpack and looks expectantly at the PCs. “Well, shall we go? I’m ready when you are.”
J shows off her skills by waving her Kukri around dramatically. To anyone with any skills in sword-fighting at all, it looks like the sum total of her experience has been from melodramatic plays and the like complete with groan inducing comments like "Take that! And THAT!" It does look like her equipment is of the best quality and she is even wearing a mithral shirt.
"Oh, here and there," she responds to Ekadan. "Thank you SOOO much for doing this. When can we get started?" she gushes.
When Lady Dacilane notices Rosa, she makes a point of thanking her again for returning her daughter.
When J notices that THE Rosla el Func is in the group she gets all giddy and excited. Excuse me. MORE giddy and excited.
"Rosa! is that you. Well met! Well met indeed! I was hoping you would be one of the Pathfinders sent to escort me when I heard you were in town."
She takes a minute to to collect several heavy volumes from a side room — these books are Pathfinder Chronicles featuring Rosa's adventures.
Oh, yes she is.
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Ekadan groans and not in amazement, "Play fighting is great for kids but in real life people get killed. Just remember that and don't rush in front of us or go anywhere or do anything we don't clear first, understand?"
He then continues, "Now before we go I'm curious: Do you want to go to the Tri-Yard Towers or is this something you feel you need to do from a dream or something similar?"
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When Lady Dacilane notices Rosa, she makes a point of thanking her again for returning her daughter.
Rosla bows. "It was my pleasure, Lady Dacilane."
When J notices that THE Rosla el Func is in the group she gets all giddy and excited. Excuse me. MORE giddy and excited.
"Rosa! is that you. Well met! Well met indeed! I was hoping you would be one of the Pathfinders sent to escort me when I heard you were in town."
She takes a minute to to collect several heavy volumes from a side room — these books are Pathfinder Chronicles featuring Rosa's adventures.
"It's Ros-la, not Ro-sa. Did they get my name wrong in the Chronicles?" For a second, Rosla looks very not amused. "Yes, J, it really is I. When I heard of your... expedition... I volunteered to be a part of it, of course. Can't let you die down there when I helped rescue you from the Tri-Towers Yard years ago."
The elf leans in close to J and whispers: "Please be careful with that Kukri, we do not want anyone here to get hurt. I see you had some 'training', but take heed of what Ekadan here said. At least you have some decent armor..."
"By the way, your outfit reminds me of the Andoran Eagle Knights. This isn't a coincidence, is it? Oh, and please leave the Chronicles here - they are heavy and would impede your fighting. They would probably get damp or wet, too."
Ekadan groans and not in amazement, "Play fighting is great for kids but in real life people get killed. Just remember that and don't rush in front of us or go anywhere or do anything we don't clear first, understand?"
He then continues, "Now before we go I'm curious: Do you want to go to the Tri-Yard Towers or is this something you feel you need to do from a dream or something similar?"
"Well, I suppose I should let the professionals take the lead. And mother would be furious if got into melee. Of course mother gets furious about a LOT of silly things." "And she calls ME silly," she mutters.
When asked where to go, J. shrugs and says "Let's head toward the Drownyard."
Maybe you should hire a proper tutor M'Lady. I ... suppose I could offer my services but ... you may be preferring a different style besides brute force and cunning.
Giving Tempestas a delighted look, she gushes "I'm sure I could learn a LOT from you, even if our styles are different!"
"It's Ros-la, not Ro-sa. Did they get my name wrong in the Chronicles?" For a second, Rosla looks very not amused. "Yes, J, it really is I. When I heard of your... expedition... I volunteered to be a part of it, of course. Can't let you die down there when I helped rescue you from the Tri-Towers Yard years ago."
The elf leans in close to J and whispers: "Please be careful with that Kukri, we do not want anyone here to get hurt. I see you had some 'training', but take heed of what Ekadan here said. At least you have some decent armor..."
"By the way, your outfit reminds me of the Andoran Eagle Knights. This isn't a coincidence, is it? Oh, and please leave the Chronicles here - they are heavy and would impede your fighting. They would probably get damp or wet, too."
Well, since THE Rosla asks her, she will leave the books, though she pouts a bit.
"Sorry I slurred your name. I do that sometimes when I am excited."
"My friends brother is an eagle knight. He died that day in the Necropolis after the earthquake struck. I feel so bad about it. I thought it would honor him if I supported the cause."
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"It's ok, J, I'm not mad. And regarding the books: You won't have time to read during this expedition, anyway."
"It's honorable to remember your friend's brother that way, I'm impressed. Now, shall we have a quick look at the contents of your backpack? I learned the hard way that there is no such thing as being over-prepared, and I'd like to spare you that experience. Also, it is usually good to know what the others in your group are able to do, and that includes their items, too. For example, imagine that you urgently need healing, but your comrades are out of magic and they cannot find the healing potion you hid at the bottom of your backpack, because they didn't know that you have one on you..."
She pauses briefly to let the words sink in.
"And that's why I always inform my teammates of the command words of my healing wands - which I also show to them - and where to find those in my backpack."
"Sure, take a look." she hands over the backpack. It contains an alchemist's fire, 2 antitoxin, ink and pen, a scroll case with 5 sheets of pristine paper in in it, a tindertwig, and some trail rations. An awful like a backpack from one of the 101 classes in the society.
With no consequence to cost, she asks "Ohh, can I try the wand? I've never used a wand."