The students of Dacilane Academy are going on a field trip! As many of the academy’s students are the children of Pathfinders, what better place to visit than Woodsedge Lodge, one of the most famous Pathfinder Society lodges and the hub of the vast, mystical hedge maze known as the Maze of the Open Road? And who better to chaperone these students than a group of capable Pathfinder agents? When delightful disaster strikes, everyone will be glad that the Pathfinders came along for the trip!
|
A young woman, face pockmarked with more scars than would be expected for her age, enters the lodge and finds a seat, reclining as far as it lets her without the chair breaking. Despite the weather, she's wearing several layers of hide, along with thick winter gloves, one of which sports a set of brass knuckles.
A middle-aged male ratfolk bows back to Ma'elo, and to Jackie. He's wearing respectable Taldan-style clothing. "Nice to meet you. I am Alexandrios Pontiki, and here", he gestures to a rat in a dress standing on the table, "is my wife Elena. We are alchemists, looking for a solution to our problem caused by an accident."
The rat in a dress on the table shakes a claw at Alexandrios and squeaks naggingly.
"What do you mean I should say I messed up? It is normal to try to increase the concentration if the lower amount doesn't work!" Alexandrios answers the rat.
"Well, long story short, we used to be humans. As this was caused by an exotic alchemical reaction, we saw that the Pathfinder Society offered good opportunities to travel the world and find out hidden secrets that might revert this effect."
|
|
"What do you mean I should say I messed up? It is normal to try to increase the concentration if the lower amount doesn't work!" Alexandrios answers the rat.
"Sure, but there's limits to that sorta thing," the woman says, a hint of a drawl poking through her voice. "You don't jump to cremation just 'cause the campfire ain't warm enough. Learned that one the hard way."
"I'm Jackie, by the way. Nice to meet y'all."
|
A small green goblin with red bulging eyes wearing an oversized dragon suit arrives at the scene, humming a musical piece while waving his composer staff in front of him. Behind him follows a humble opposum that seems to be on her own, but still following the goblin.
Once he meets the others, he begins introduction. "Greetingsh, fellow Pathfindersh! I am Griphook Ragnok," he says and picks up the opposum. "With me ish my new pet, Dimplesh! Ishn't she niche? Shay high to them!" he then waves the small paw of his pet.
The opposum rumbles a deep guttural sound. She is wearing a nice red bow.
Elena nods at Jackie, then sqeuaks again at Alexandrios, gesturing toward Jackie.
"Everyone knows? Yes, if you go far, but with a tiny step size it just takes too many iterations..." Alexandrios tries to save his face.
"Ah, that sounds so normal. We still haven't found anyone sharing our experience", Alexandrios comments Griphook's ordinary pet relationship.
|
Beside the dark leathers of his brother Ma'elo, Na'ilath's white clothes and carefully polished breastplate create contrast while the flowing cut of their clothing marks a similarity of origin. His white hair shows his age but his movements demonstrate he is still in the peak of health. On the back right of his belt is an unusual dark leather sheath holding a hand axe haft upward.
Ma'elo, nothing is certain... why would you anticipate certainty?
The gaggle of young people crowded into the lobby of the Grand Lodge parts to step out of the way for a man in an Eagle Knight’s uniform. “Pathfinders! So good to see you today. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to assist with our little educational venture. Allow me to present the students of Dacilane Academy!”
J Dacilane raises his voice and sweeps his gaze over the students, who all fall silent and give friendly nods or shy half bows.
“And this is their history teacher, Professor Thandmere Krelsun.” J gestures to a gray-bearded dwarf with spectacles perched on the end of his nose. The teacher struggles with a stack of papers as J continues. “As you’ve been told, the class is traveling to Woodsedge Lodge today to explore life in the Pathfinder Society and to cooperate in a series of small tasks at the Lodge. They’ll report back to me at the end of the day.” J casts a glance at the students as he puts a subtle emphasis on each word of the Pathfinder’s motto.
“Why don’t you introduce yourselves to the students, and tell them a little bit about your adventures in the Society so far?”
|
|
"Hello, shtudentsh! I don't know if you shtill remember me, but I am Griphook. I am one of them that inveshtigated the unsholved myshtery of your shchool. Do you remember that? I ushed to play the flute, but I am now holding a composher'sh shtaff becaushe I find it more fun to play!" He then grins proudly, tapping the staff against the nearest table to emphasize his words and begins conducting imaginatively.
"Ah, yesh!" as if he remembers something, looks around to find Dimples and carries her with one hand. "Remember Dimplesh? I don't think sho, too. We met here at your shchool too!"
Alexandrios gives his introduction: "Good day, students. I am Alexandrios Pontiki, and this", he gestures to the rat in dress on his shoulder, "is my wife Elena. We are alchemists. We have been mostly working in public relations, such as celebrations and competitions".
He looks a bit uncomfortable, then continues: "Though, many of the events have been hit by problems, like attacks, but we have been able to thwart those with very... few... casualties".
Elena curtsies when she's introduced. After Alexandrios' line about the problems, she stands and squeaks very confidently.
|
|
Na'ilath clasps his hands and bow slightly towards the students.
Hello friends, I am Na'ilath and like my brother Ma'elo mentioned I am not from here locally. I haven't been with the Pathfinders long but have already had the opportunity to work with the society on a minor task involving a rogue monk. I am looking forward to working with you all today!
|
|
Ka'elen steps forward readjusting the Fauchard that never leaves his hands. The older elf wears a breastplate that could use some polishing, or even some basic cleaning.
A good morning to you all! My brothers, Na'ilath and Ma'elo, you have met. I am Ka'elen. I may be new to this organization, but I'm happy to share what I know of the experience.
The excited students shout their recognition at Griphook and ask if Dimples is safe to pet. They seem generally pretty keyed up, shouting questions like, "Do alchemists start fires?" and "Are you brothers? I have a brother!" and "Is that sharp? Can I touch it?"
You notice an attentive goblin child scratching scratching notes in a small notebook that she pulls out of her sleeve. Professor Krelsun shifts from foot to foot in impatience.
After introductions, Thandmere Krelsun passes over several carefully-written pages. “Yes, yes! Thank you for joining us. Here are the rules for the field trip, and a list for you of the tasks that the students are expected to accomplish today. Please remember that accomplishing these tasks is the point of this trip! If you need to know anything, please ask me now. We hope to leave in a few moments.”
“You shouldn’t need any special equipment,” adds J, “But feel free to bring what you normally would on an assignment. It will be interesting for the students to see fully equipped Pathfinders. I hope that you enjoy getting a chance to influence the next generation.” J lowers his voice and leans so the students will not overhear, “Also, do be on your best behavior. They are children and they’re as likely to pick up bad habits from you as good.”
|
|
Ma'elo looks over the notes as J finishes. When the opportunity presents itself he sidles over next to Tels. "Things in Pathfinder lodges are not always as they seem. If you notice one of your fellow students touching something that they should not, or going somewhere they should not, let me know right away."
"Well... sometimes. But our expertise is more in the healing aspect. See, here," Alexandrios pulls out some vials and mixes reagents into them, "see the red glow, it means the healing properties have started working. And by adding these two to the other, see the silvery hue, it is a sign of the voice softening aspect of silvertongue..." he explains his actions as he mixes a set of elixirs.
Elena runs around the table handing reagents, doing precise measurements well suited for her small paws, and gesturing to the vials following Alexandrios' introduction.
Griphook gives the students permission to pet Dimples, after he mutters words to his pet, of course. His attention is caught by the goblin writing notes.
"Hello, fellow goblin? What are you taking notesh, if I may know?" he asks.
"Oh, greetings! I'm Vim Moneymaker. Thanks for talking to me--I've been studying to be a Pathfinder for ages. My uncle Yig told me that Pathfinders are the best adventurers and paid to send me to Dacilane Academy," the young goblin answers enthusiastically. "I heard that you've had some adventures around the Academy already. What else have you done?"
Tels says to Ma'elo, "I'm sure nothing really bad will happen to use with you Pathfinders around. You're all heroes, after all."
|
|
"Yig Moneymaker, you shay? I know him, we Pathfindersh helped him sholve hish problem while building bridge. He had thish trouble with mishshing goblinsh and we found out that..." he continues his story about helping Yig as their mission.
"It ish niche to meet you, Vim! Tell your uncle about me when you meet again!" he adds. "I hope he remembersh me."
|
|
Jackie waves the knuckle duster-less hand at the kids. "Hey, y'all, I'm Jackie! I'm pretty new to the Pathfinders, too, but I've done plenty of explorin' in my time, especially way up north near the Linnorm Kings. Never saw one of 'em myself, though, mostly just a lot of snow, heh."
"Hoping something bad will not happen, does not prevent bad things from happening, little one."
"Sure, but it ain't bad to hope, anyway. Hope like that didn't stop the cold from bitin', sure, but it kept me from givin' up when my fire went out."
Alexandrios goes to see Hari. "I heard you have shown much interest in your studies. I know about alchemy, of course, but also a bit on other subjects, if you have any questions", he offers.
Elena pulls out a tiny book, reads something from it and squeaks at Hari.
"Wow! He wrote me a letter about that! Amazing to meet you," Vim looks at Griphook with eyes bordering on adoration.
Tels looks unfazed by Ma'elo's warning, but Jackie does seem to make an impression on him, "You're right, and I do usually try to be on my toes. You won't believe how much trouble some of my classmates can get into, just because they are overenthusiastic."
"Well, it's interesting to find someone well educated among the chaperones," Hari comments to Alexandrios. They seem slightly surprised. "I assumed that most Pathfinders who do fieldwork spent too much time polishing weapons to focus on studies. DO you have any skills that might be useful today? We've been given several assignments to complete at the lodge, you know. This is a learning opportunity, even if most of the others aren't taking it very seriously." They raise an eyebrow and wait for your response.
"We have studied, in addition to alchemy, also arcana, occultism, and several liberal arts. Of course, our time in the academy was quite long ago, we have done more practical applications for many years. If you are interested in joining a guild in the future, we can give recommendations", Alexandrios explains his background.
Hari doesn't seem particularly impressed with Alexandrios' education, "You know, there has been some exciting research in that time. You should really try to keep up with the latest publications," they reply.
The little kobold gasps when Ka'elen talks to her and quietly excuses herself to go hide behind Tels.
J answers Na'ilath: "No, nothing that should affect the trip. They're a hardy little group." He smiles proudly at the gathered students. "Come, let's head to the Maze to get on our way."
From his previous adventures at the Dacilane Academy, Griphook remembers that The Pathfinder Society purchased the manor housing the Academy decades ago. In recent years, J Dacilane has become the school’s benefactor, financing a high-quality education for the students.
Pathfinder agents recently investigated a reported haunting inside the Academy. Though the school had dealt with rumors of ghosts for years, the agents determined that the uncanny events in question were caused by an akizendri—a chaotic extraplanar being of the sort known as proteans.
"Anything we need to do before we head out?" J asks a final time.
"We're going to a Pathfinder Lodge, not the Pit of Gormuz!" Professor Krelsun reassures everyone. "Let's go!"
He leads the group to the portal.
"Wait, that sounds familiar? That blue-haired elven dancer girl said she'd been there? The Woodsedge Lodge, run by Jirneau from Galt. It was there they got into the Maze of the Open Road, and there was something very unstable things going on in there. I didn't get all she said, her way of viewing the world is a bit different", Alexandrios recalls his discussions with other agents.
Without further ado, you and the field trip group step into the Maze of the Open Road, and you navigate it's neatly-trimmed hedges without incident until you reach the portal leading to the Woodsedge Lodge.
When the field trip group steps out of trimmed hedges of the Maze of the Open Road and onto the lawn of Woodsedge Lodge, something is clearly wrong. The air has a flat metallic tang, the sky is a startling emerald color, and the sounds of distant bells tinkle on the breeze. The students don’t seem to have noticed anything odd: they chatter excitedly about their journey through the Maze and speculate on where else it might lead.
Suddenly, Hari darts a look across the group and asks, in an alarmed tone, “Where’s Professor Krelsun? Where are the chaperones?” The other students fall quiet, then burst out arguing about what to do.
Professor Krelsun is nowhere to be seen.
|
|
When the field trip group steps out of trimmed hedges of the Maze of the Open Road and onto the lawn of Woodsedge Lodge, something is clearly wrong. The air has a flat metallic tang, the sky is a startling emerald color, and the sounds of distant bells tinkle on the breeze. The students don’t seem to have noticed anything odd: they chatter excitedly about their journey through the Maze and speculate on where else it might lead.
"Now, I ain't never been to Woodsedge, let alone Galt at all, but... I don't think it's supposed to look like that. And the air is... weird."
Suddenly, Hari darts a look across the group and asks, in an alarmed tone, “Where’s Professor Krelsun? Where are the chaperones?” The other students fall quiet, then burst out arguing about what to do.
Professor Krelsun is nowhere to be seen.
"Ah, hell, already?" Jackie turns her attention from the odd surroundings to the students. "Where's that--there!" She jogs over to Tels. "Hey, kid, I'm gonna have a talk with the rest of the chaperones to figure out what's goin' on, any chance you could help calm the rest of the students down? I'm sure we'll have this fixed up in a jiffy, but I don't wanna risk anythin' happening before we do."
The students make no sign of hearing Griphook or Jackie.
“Maybe they’re stuck in the Maze. We should look for them!” Vim suggests.
Hari puts up a hand to halt her. “Absolutely not. Going in the Maze is strictly forbidden!”
“Let’s go inside for help,” Tels gestures toward Woodsedge Lodge. “They’ll know what to do.”
The students mutter assent and head to the Lodge, a two‑story manor house that sports rounded turrets on the front of the building. The students walk up the staircase to the front doors, decorated with a painting of a stylized wayfinder. Tels knocks, and when no one answers, he opens the doors and leads the class inside.
"Strange events seem to follow me on these social happenings", Alexandrios says as he watches the lodge.
"Well, let's do the standard 'Event went wrong' routine. Everybody, stay together and keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"Some kind of breach between planes. I just wish I knew to what plane."
|
|
"What do you mean 'we should look for them'? We are here, can't you..." Griphook lets out an audible sigh now that they are acting they aren't there.
"What ish the matter with theshe kidsh? Are they playing pranksh on ush?" he adds before Alexandrios informs them about breach between planes. Sound bad to him. "Maybe we should follow the shtudentsh."