Our adventure begins early in the morning in Sakakabe, a port town in Sankyō-dai Province in Minkai. The Pathfinders know they’ve been tasked with helping Venture-Captain Kukuha Mukai at the Three Gates Lodge on the island of Kayajima. Their task is to assist the venture captain with inspecting the eponymous gates on the island and upkeeping their connection to local ley lines that helps keep the lodge secure. All of this information is noted in a letter from the venture captain.
Greetings, Pathfinder!
I hope this letter finds you well. I’ve chosen you to be the part of the next group that will help me with some tasks at the Three Gates Lodge in Minkai. The lodge has been in place for several years now, and part of its regular maintenance requires upkeeping a powerful ritual that creates magical wards to protect it. To do so, we must visit three special gates near the lodge, arrange special ritual components around them, and complete a unique ritual to refresh the wards by harnessing the power of ley lines that run beneath the island of Kayajima (where the lodge is located). This process is generally a simple matter that takes the better part of an afternoon, but I’ve found it to be a good opportunity to meet newer Pathfinders and for these Pathfinders to meet each other.I’ve secured passage to transport you to the town of Sakakabe, which is the port closest to Kayajima. There, you’ll meet Captain Masuhei Okonase, a good friend of mine and a former Pathfinder, and he will transport you the rest of the way to the lodge. Once you’re here, I’ll fill you in on the rest of the details you need to complete this task. I expect to have a pleasant time with your help, and I look forward to meeting you and the rest of your group.
Until then,
—Venture-Captain Kukuha Mukai
The party is waiting for their transportation from Sakakabe to Kayajima. The Pathfinders can make their introductions and purchase any basic equipment or gear they would like while they wait.
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Tall and broad, but bespectacled with thin wires supporting small reading lenses, there is a bit of an erudite air that hangs about the confident posture our runic hero poses in her standing gait. Strapped to her torso, a breastplate emblazoned with intricate lines in an old language - a similar pattern circumscribing every inch of the large club secured to her back.
This crisp morning at the port in Sakakabe, she focuses her energies in a short series of rites that refresh the soft lustre of dweomercraft etched into her greatclub that reads: Sun-Marssyl.
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A lean elf approaches, almost dainty with sharp features. There is no hair on his head. He speaks intentionally, almost "at you" making two-way communication the exception. His eye contact seems to be almost looking "through" you, as if conducting some deep assessment of your intentions instead of letting you explain them.
He leans on a staff, spellbook under his arm, and looks around at those assembled, currently just one nephilim, and introduces himself.
Hello. I'm Voron. I assume you're also a Pathfinder here to travel to Kayajima?
The visible runes on the breastplate catch his eye. Squinting to try to read them from where he stands, he points and asks Say, what manner of script is that? Is it something I could record in my spellbook?
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A short, Varisian dwarf, with a shield on her back and a whip at her waist comes up. "Happy to meet you. Yes, we're all traveling together, I assume. I'm Ramona."
She pulls a doll out of her backpack. "Meet Banjo."
Voron smiles at the dwarf. We are! To Kayajima. Ever been there?
He eyes the doll curiously as it comes out.
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"I've never been to Kayajima, but am always willing to see new places and meet new people."
Banjo is a clown-like puppet holding a banjo. It has a funny conical hat, and askew eyes.
You notice that Ramona's wooden holy symbol is a miniature banjo.
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"Row, row, row your boat! Through storms and crashing seas!" A small goblin runs up to the docks waving a whip erratically, cracking it multiple times. He laughs and then knocks into some barrels before darting up to the Pathfinders.
"Youse Pathfinders? I am Scripio de Whipper!" He cracks his whip overhead. The goblins leans and whispers like he has a secret. "I here to see rituals. Goblins know lots of secrets."
He leans back out and resumes his normal voice (aka yelling). "Some other stinky Pathfinders say I shouldn't go. They more experienced. But Scripio know things!"
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A tall, slender woman with olive skin runs (more like sprints) up to the group. She has a bow on her back and is wearing loose-fitting attire. "Well (puffing) met! Sorry (panting) I am late. I missed the missive and had to take the next (puffing) boat. The fellow at the docks said the Pathfinders (panting) already left. I am Maneki Pemanah, at your service"
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Squinting he leans harder on his staff and looks into Hezrioux's face. What makes a form truer, and what does one achieve by studying them beyond their evident function?
"Your question is legitimate" Hezrioux straightens her glasses, and opens her eyes quizzically, searching for her most delicate and concise words "I'd say that there is something to be gained once one has mentally eschewed, momentarily at least, the lens of functionality" she pulls an apple from her pocket "If I may: Do you believe this object is looked upon by all in the same manner? Say, someone possessed of physical hunger - how do they see the apple? Or say, an artist with a paintbrush, belly full and not in immediate need of money - how do they see the apple?"
Unsure her analogy worked - or worse: mischaracterized her conversationalist by likening him with base misappropriation! - she leaves the proverbial trees and again tries to explain the forest "If you accept my premise - that studying something without the explicit intent to make use of it has merit - then I will claim that what is left over is just the essential state of being. That is, in my study of runes, their true form, their true meaning, their true expression, in not looking to make use of them by employing their inherent magic with innovation and iteration, instead I am able to discover a simpler, more distilled understanding of what they are" she emphasizes the final word.
And smiles, and her eyes return to her fellow academic, wondering if what she had intended to communicate had successfully been transcribed by spoken word...
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Fair, but your examples alluded to additional functions, not absence of function. I admit studying something apart from known or default use is the best way to open up other possibilities, so I do agree it has merit. I wonder if, while my spells are purpose-built incantations that may involve runes, you use the fundamental runes in a more raw form.
With a tch to himself and a grimace, realizing that he won't be able to work out her entire craft verbally in short time, he concedes
Perhaps I am simplifying things. I will observe the practice over our mission to see what becomes evident. Thank you.
He nods appreciatively and leaves it at that for now. Voron is chiefly eager to see these runes in action. Or, more appropriately to the spirit of her explanation, perhaps he will suggest they share time in study at next daily preparations so that he can observe that process.
At least there is one other here who appreciates rigor. He smiles to himself.
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Scripio looks back and forth from Voron to Hezrioux as they debate the properties of magical runes. The goblin finally blows a raspberry with his tongue. "BORING!" he declares. He cracks his whip for emphasis.
"Runes weird magic. Like books and tiny spoons made for tea. Scripio seen runes made with fingerpaint from sewers. But sometimes--" he digs into his pockets and pulls out a handful of items and lowers his voice. "You can fix them with buttons. Or string wrapped around a stick. Special string."
"Or goblin spit. That fixes a lot. Then blamo! Runes works! Unless there's a ghost nearby. Then lots of sneezing happens." He nods emphatically.
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Voron chuckles and leans on his staff as he listens to the goblin.
Oh my... that sounds more like a curse that deliberate magic young goblin! But, I declare that you are certainly our spit-master! Unless I'm reciting a spell in Diabolic... very guttural language, that. He mutters the last part under his breath.
Once the Pathfinders are ready, a local fisher by the name of Masuhei Okonase welcomes them aboard his ship, the Auspicious Pearl. Captain Okonase is an older and warm figure, and he generally keeps to himself during this trip as the day’s choppier waters demand a bit more attention. Beyond the somewhat rougher journey, though, the trip is uneventful, and the party eventually reaches Kayajima after a few hours.
Kayajima is a moderately-sized island covered in verdant forests. A single mountain pierces the forest canopy, rising far above the trees. Captain Okonase points the mountain out as the group arrives, noting that it is named Soruseiji Peak, and comments to the Pathfinders that their work today will be taking them up the mountain, so they’d best be prepared for such a journey. The Auspicious Pearl docks at a rock pier in the southeast portion of the island. Captain Okonase bids the field agents farewell, noting that he’ll remain here and that he expects to take them back to Sakakabe after lunch time. Captain Okonase points out the direction to the Three Gates Lodge, then retreats below deck on his ship to take a nap.
A path from the docks leads inland through the forest and toward the Three Gates Lodge. The trip to the lodge is short, with the Pathfinder arriving about ten to fifteen minutes after setting out from the dock.
The path continues on, eventually reaching an enormous clearing among the trees. A partially ruined stone wall marks the entryway to the Three Gates Lodge, and beyond this entry lie several ruined spires, ancient stone buildings, and newer wooden structures. The broken remains of a massive clay statue have been piled up against one of the stone buildings. A moment passes before a tall tengu woman clad in simple robes and wooden sandals emerges from one of the wooden structures and gestures for those approaching to join her inside.
The woman is Venture-Captain Kukuha Mukai. As the Pathfinders arrive, she welcomes them to the Three Gates Lodge and offers them a light breakfast and hot drinks, in case they haven’t eaten yet. After introductions and the brief meal, Kukuha takes them out to the courtyard to begin preparing them to carry out the day’s assignment.
“Welcome, Pathfinders,” Venture-Captain Mukai says softly. She takes her place at the center of the group as she explains. “I am Venture-Captain Kukuha Mukai. As I explained in my letter, I need your assistance to maintain the series of ley lines that protect this island and the Three Gates Lodge. It’s a relatively simple upkeep, mostly requiring new ritual materials to be placed at key sites throughout Kayajima. Unfortunately,” she adds, pointing to the broken statue, "my plans to rebuild the island’s former guardian dogu to aid with this task have taken longer to carry out than I anticipated. Oh, well. This just means I have more opportunities to meet some of the newer Pathfinders like yourselves.” She smiles brightly.
"No, no, a dogu. I'm afraid there isn't any one particular reason it's taken longer. Busier than expected, underestimated the task, you know.
“Anyway, since we’ve been doing this for several years now, the process has become rather straightforward. You’ll be splitting up and heading across the island to—”
Kukuha is interrupted by a loud thunderclap. The skies above darken nearly instantaneously, the stars becoming as visible as they would be on a clear night. Blood-red clouds begin to fill the sky, circling like a tempestuous storm. For a moment, the eye of the storm remains clear, but then a massive figure clad in dark armor that bears a multitude of spikes appears at its center. They stand amid a landscape of idyllic mountains with a greatsword in hand, then take a few steps forward, seeming to chase some unseen subject.
The image of this figure fills the sky. Any attempts to look elsewhere or obscure the vision fail, as it remains even when one shuts their eyes.
The armored figure runs, plunging into a sea whose waters barely reach their thighs. They raise their greatsword as though to strike, yet just as they are about to attack, the water behind them explodes, a wall of water rising in a swell behind them. Emerging from the depths of this wall, a crimson blade cuts through the air, plunging into the armored figure’s back and lancing through their chest. The figure falls still. Somehow, a look of shock flits across their featureless face. As the wall of water falls, it reveals the towering form of an enormous, crimson mantis.
The mantis rips their bloody arm out from the armored figure’s body, tearing them in two. A vile, dark smoke emerges from the bisected figure, and then their body explodes in a shower of metal shrapnel, massive torrents of blood, and silver liquid that sprays in all directions. The vision fades away as red and silver rain begins to fall on Kayajima.
Kukuha shepherds everyone indoors as a massive crash rocks the island, and the strange rain obscures all vision outdoors.
In the immediate aftermath of the terrible vision, Kukuha is left in shock. While she attempts to console the Pathfinders after witnessing the traumatic sight, Kukuha has no answers either. She remains quiet, eventually choosing to move off to a quiet corner and meditate. After an hour, the strange rain stops falling over Kayajima, and the skies return to normal.
Kukuha asks the field agents to carefully step outside and assess the state of the lodge. During her meditation, she noticed that the island’s ley lines now seem to be behaving strangely.
After only another few minutes, a mighty roar echoes through the air as a long, serpentine creature flies above the forest from the southwest. The creature sports scales the color of the ocean’s waves and appears to be a dozen feet in length. Kukuha recognizes the creature and welcomes him, greeting him as Aojimitsu.
Aojimitsu lands in the lodge’s courtyard, frantically catching his breath. “Pathfinders, I’m glad you’re safe. Something terrible is happening to island,” he warns. “The animals here have become dangerous in the wake of the… visions that appeared above us. I fear that there is something on the mountain summit that’s causing the creatures to go into a frenzy and could lead to even greater problems.”
Kukuha makes quick introductions, explaining that Aojimitsu is a dragon who lives in a cove elsewhere on the island. He first met members of the Pathfinder Society when the organization was establishing the Three Gates Lodge. Since then, he’s become an ally of Kukuha’s and the Society as a whole.
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Gorum, god of battle, strength, and weapons, slain by Achaekek, god of assassins and the Red Mantis!" she reels from the academic gravity of this moment, knowing that many may live long lives and never lay eyes on such a momentous occurance "Auspicious is this day. I'm certain the ley lines will react strangely"
She goes outside to investigate!
While it’s unclear how, it’s apparent to Hezrioux that the rain created from Gorum has disrupted the ley lines’ energies, causing the power that was put in place to protect the Three Gates Lodge to fail.
The god who died is Gorum, Maneki is certain, and in the aftermath of his death, it appears that his energies are interfering with the power of the island’s ley lines.
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Voron listens to Hezrioux's explanation in astonishment.
Amazing. Both godly combatants representing forms of destruction.
Interestingly, his immediate concern is what spheres of influence are relevant, and those that remain (presumably) unaffected by this event.
Is it over? Or will the mantis hunt others and taint their dominions?
He's not even sure who he's asking; perhaps hoping Kukuha has some insight. Voron thinks of Nethys with vague tinge of anxiety.
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Is it over? Or will the mantis hunt others and taint their dominions?
Tharpe stops for a moment
"Funny that you would ask, Achalekek is a diety of assassinations, and he does not strike wildly at various targets, but rather his attacks are precise."The orc wonders for a moment "I must have heard it while traveling as I have no idea why I would possess such knowledge..."
"I daresay that's what we saw," Kukuha agrees, "though whether we witnessed an actual event, or if it was a vision, or an illusion... the red rain suggests it was real, I think. But were we in the right place to witness it, or... it was a godly event, it may have been visible anywhere in the world, or all we know. Or further."
Tharpe realizes that the god who died is Gorum, and in the aftermath of his death, it appears that his energies are interfering with the power of the island’s ley lines.
Voron knows that, while it’s unclear how, it’s apparent that the rain created from Gorum has disrupted the ley lines’ energies, causing the power that was put in place to protect the Three Gates Lodge to fail. The god who died is Gorum, and in the aftermath of his death, it appears that his energies are interfering with the power of the island’s ley lines. In addition to interfering with the ley lines, it seems that Gorum’s focus on battle has suffused the island, if not the entire region. A desire for conflict seems to hang in the air.
Hezrioux's survey of the lodge shows minimal damage to the area, most of it superficial. Individual portions of the wooden structures are warped in strange ways, however, and it would require a fair amount of work to replace these pieces. She also sees that some plants on the grounds and in the immediate surroundings are now warped and misshapen. These strange changes are subtle and don’t seem to have major impact on the plants or their ability to survive in any way.
Scripio learns that, while it’s unclear how, it’s apparent that the rain created from Gorum has disrupted the ley lines’ energies, causing the power that was put in place to protect the Three Gates Lodge to fail. Some plants on the grounds and in the immediate surroundings are now warped and misshapen. These strange changes are subtle and don’t seem to have major impact on the plants or their ability to survive in any way.
Aojimitsu says, "Having lived here for years and having built up a connection with the island and its creatures, I think I can travel around Kayajima and try to pacify the wildlife. Meanwhile, you Pathfinders should travel up to the summit of Soruseiji Peak and locate the object that crashed on the mountaintop. If it’s the cause of all of these disturbances, then perhaps taking it away from the island will put an end to the disorder here.”
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Precise or not, I have no knowledge of his intended target or targets. I hope this is the extent of it.
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Voron nods to Aojimitsu in affirmation.
Very well. How long of a hike is it up to the peak? What hazards or creatures should we watch out for?
Thinking more as he leans on his staff, he adds
Should we take stock of ley line strength as we go along?
“The island’s animals have changed," Aojimitsu replies to Voron's question bout dangers. "They seem to be enraged, attacking each other despite their nature. Prey creatures attack their predators. Predators attack each other. Some animals seem to be intentional about harming others. It’s as if every creature wants to fight, even ones that have no reason or history of typically doing so. The ones that aren’t attacking on sight are overwhelmed to such a degree that they’ve taken to hiding in their dens.”
"Should we take stock of ley line strength as we go along?"
Kukuha interjects here. “I think we can worry about that later. If there’s something that’s disrupting the energy of the ley lines or causing even worse effects, that should be our top priority. I can return to Sakakabe with Masuhei while you scale Soruseiji. Once there, I can report the matter to the rest of the Lantern Lodge and return with help. Gods willing, we’ll be able to sort all of this out first and can then focus on restoring the ley lines’ power.”
“I’m sure you heard the crash that echoed as the strange rains began," says Aojimitsu, "I believe something large fell from the sky, perhaps one of the pieces of armor that belonged to the figure in the vision. (Gorom, you say? He must be more well-known in other parts of theworld. I remember that a different Pathfinder who was
here last year mentioned him in passing.) I don’t know for sure, as I had to suddenly defend myself from attacking sea creatures after the rains started. Whatever it is, I can feel that it’s disrupting the island’s primal energies.
“I tried to fly toward the peak but found myself growing ill as I approached. It was as though a rage started to come over me, so I flew away. The rage then subsided, but I was worried about becoming overwhelmed and turning on the island creatures or even against you, Pathfinders. I think if there’s a way to investigate the summit, you’ll find it, and I’m better off dealing with the island creatures.”
Once the Pathfinders understand the task at hand, they’re free to make any preparations they like before setting off. Kukuha heads to the dock to return to Sakakabe, and Aojimitsu sets off to do what he can to pacify the island’s creatures.
Before he leaves, Aojimitsu presents the party with a small pouch full of colorful sea glass. He notes he intended to present the glass as a gift to the Pathfinders once they had completed their work maintaining the ley line gates. He instead gifts them the glass now as thanks for their willingness to undertake this unexpected and strange mission.
"No magic, I'm afraid, just pretty baubles. I won't be offended if you sell them to buy more practical things--not that I'd know if you did!"
The first leg of the journey up the mountain is relatively simple. A path from the lodge leads toward the mountain and connects with a weathered mountain trail. There is already evidence, however, that the downpour has washed some areas out and had a physical effect on the terrain even before considering any supernatural effect.
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Ramona keeps up a running commentary about how Banjo is going to ascend into the new pantheon now that Gorum is gone, and completely fails at letting anyone know what is coming up.
She might even be helping to send the party to places that are more difficult, just because they seem interesting to her.
Hezrioux and Scripio manage, but they find the going a little rougher than anticipated. Ramona nearly goes the wrong way, but Voron keeps the party on the path.
Tharpe also finds the going more difficult than would be expected for a well-traveled trail, but Maneki keeps everyone going at a steady but sustainable pace.
After about two hours the mountain trail fully wears away, leading into a forest. Various animal paths crisscross the forest floor, but no obvious path continues up toward the mountain’s summit. The sounds of animal calls are much more prominent here, echoing in the thick canopy above and highlighting the dangers of the wilderness ahead.
Everyone (except Scripio) suddenly notices something lurking among the foliage on the branches of the trees above--at first it just looks like flowers, but then they realize it's some kind of giant bug that blends in with the flowers. It looks something like a mantis as tall as a human, and it's clearly lurking above with the intent of dropping down on passersby.
But before it does that, or before any of the Pathfinders can take advantage of spotting it, a second (evidently much stealthier) one drops on to the path in front of them.
This one Scripio notices, and he recognizes it as an orchid mantis. This strange blend of plant and insect isn't very sturdy.
The mantis lashes out with its bladelike arms, jabbing Hezrioux with one of them and pinning her with the other.
Hezrioux and Tharpe's turns.
Blue Elite Giant Orchid Mantis
Hezrioux (AC 19/20; 16/35 HP; Grabbed by Blue)
Tharpe (AC 21/23; 48/48 HP)
??? (Stealthy)
Maneki (AC 20; 41/41 HP; Stealthy)
Yellow Elite Giant Orchid Mantis (Hidden from Scripio; 10 feet up; Concealed)
Voron (AC 19; 30/30 HP)
Scripio (AC 19; 25/25 HP)
Ramona (AC 19/21; 35/35 HP)
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Hezrioux brands her captor with a dual jagged yellowish stroke - lightning calls from the sky to jolt him, and stunned by it, she swings wildly with her club, grounding the electricity
◆) Rune Singer to Trace Rune: Ranshu
◆) Invoke Runes: Ranshu, Marssyl
◆) Engraving Strike: Ranshu
You practice the lost art of using music to guide the act of carving your runes, singing them into existence as much as crafting them. You can use Performance instead of Crafting when attempting Crafting checks related to runes. Once per minute, you can Trace a Rune with song alone, removing the need to have a free hand, removing the manipulate trait from Trace Rune, and allowing you to use the 2-action version of Trace Rune as a single action. You don’t need to be able to move your hands when Tracing a Rune using song, but you do need to be able to sing in a clear voice.
Requirements: You have a hand free or are holding an artisan’s toolkit.
Your fingers dance, glowing light leaving behind the image of a rune. You apply one rune to an adjacent target matching the rune’s Usage description. The rune remains until the end of your next turn. If you spend 2 actions to Trace a Rune, you draw the rune in the air and it appears on a target within 30 feet. You can have any number of runes applied in this way.
Rune of Thunder
[primal]
Usage: drawn on a creature or object
This vertical rune is often carved on tall towers to draw lightning and shield the buildings below it. If the bearer does not take a move action at least once on its turn, lightning finds it at the end of its turn, dealing 1d4 electricity damage.
Invocation: The preliminary streaks of lightning braid together into a powerful bolt. The rune-bearer takes 2d6 electricity damage, with a basic Fortitude save.
Level (+2): The damage increases by 1, and the damage of the invocation increases by 2d6
You utter the name of one or more of your runes within 30 feet. The rune blazes with power, applying the effect in its Invocation entry. The rune then fades away, its task completed. You can invoke any number of runes with a single Invoke Rune action, but creatures that would be affected by multiple copies of the same specific rune are affected only once, as normal for duplicate effects.
Rune of Impact
Usage: drawn on a bludgeoning weapon or unarmed Strike
This rune magnifies force many times over as it passes through the rune’s concentric rings. The weapon deals 1 bludgeoning splash damage per weapon damage die. If the weapon is a melee weapon, the rune-bearer is immune to this splash damage.
Invocation: The weapon vibrates as power concentrates within it. The next successful Strike made with the weapon before the end of its wielder’s next turn deals an additional die of damage and the target must succeed at a Fortitude save against your class DC or be pushed 10 feet in a straight line backwards, or 20 feet on a critical failure.
Frequency: once per round
Requirements: You are wielding a melee weapon.
You draw a rune onto the surface of your weapon in reverse, the mark branding or bruising itself into your target in the moment of impact. Make a melee strike with the weapon. On a success, you Trace a Rune onto the target of the Strike.
The mantis takes the electricity well, and it pushes on Hezrioux so she isn't able to strike back.
Tharpe's turn.
Blue Elite Giant Orchid Mantis (-5 HP; Grabbing Hezrioux)
Hezrioux (AC 19/20; 16/35 HP; Grabbed by Blue)
Tharpe (AC 21/23; 48/48 HP)
??? (Stealthy)
Maneki (AC 20; 41/41 HP; Stealthy)
Yellow Elite Giant Orchid Mantis (Hidden from Scripio; 10 feet up; Concealed)
Voron (AC 19; 30/30 HP)
Scripio (AC 19; 25/25 HP)
Ramona (AC 19/21; 35/35 HP)