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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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Your adventure begins with you arriving at the Hwanggot Lantern Lodge in the morning. You are greeted by Venture-Captain Yi Da Som, a samsaran with perfect posture and a pleasant manner.
The Lantern Lodge is already bustling despite the early hour, Pathfinders exchange greetings as they make their way in and out. Several local vendors are parked just outside the door with wares pre-marked for their regulars, who snatch up their breakfast and make payments with practiced ease. In the midst of it all stands Venture-Captain Yi Da Som, smiling serenely.
"Good morning, Pathfinders. Thank you for being so punctual. Please, follow me and we’ll get your briefing started." She heads into the lodge, politely greeting anyone on the way, and opens the doors to a private meeting room. A covered meal of dumplings and rolled eggs as well as a large pot of tea sits on the large table for guests to serve themselves. Already seated is a woman in flowing robes and an equally flowing waterfall mask that obscures her entire face.
"Hello, Pathfinders," she says. "You may call me the Waterfall. Help yourself to some breakfast and introduce yourselves."
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A stern-faced dwarf that appears to be made of stone nods at The Waterfall.
"I'm Ghardak. Used to be a miner and was caught in a cave-in. When I woke up found out I've been turned to stone and helped save some other dwarves. I suppose I must have some other purpose other than mining, though it is noble. I stay in the front and help protect others. Able to heal, though there might have some gravel in the wounds." he says. He picks up some dumplings and eats them slowly.
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A tiny olive-skinned woman, closer to the dwarf in height than to average humans, puts her pair of fans in her belt and walks to pick up some breakfast. Her Osirian background is confirmed by the golden hieroglyph decorations in her red and black dress. She collects some dumplings and eggs on a plate and takes a cup of tea. She places them on the floor, then gets a pair of chairs, and sets herself on them in a split bending beyond the straight possible on the floor. "I'm so stiff, after that long travel", she complains, and pushes her stretch a bit further. Keeping a perfect balance, she picks up her teacup and a dumpling.
"Zenobia Arsinoe Thea. Thief, assassin, and", she pushes herself down another inch, without spilling a drop of tea, "maybe an acrobat if I get my legs back to normal", she introduces herself.
She doesn't seem to find anything unusual in the name or attire of the woman called Waterfall.
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A gnome with long hair and a dark raven on her shoulder marches in
"Can I call you Barbara instead of Waterfall?" she asks and then chuckles "Kidding, I am Jortix, and I am a bit hungry so let me eat something."
She goes and puts a large plate of food, her fingers are agile and her appetite healthy
"Where are the others?" she asks looking at the door
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An auburn-colored hawk shrieks loudly just above the group. As it sets its eyes towards the group of Pathfinders, it begins its descent. As it approaches land, it loses its control and lands awkwardly on the floor--landing about a few meters from its intended landing point. The hawk suddenly shifts into the shape of an elf with auburn hair. Like the color of the forest, green-hued leather armor protects the newcomer.
She straightens herself up and removes the dust from her hair and armor. "Ahem! I do hope my brother isn't around to witness that..." she mumbles as she approaches the group. "Hi, everyone! Sorry about that landing. Still working on it. The name's Melenia. Melenia Nightbreeze! A pleasure to be working with you all!"
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A flamboyant looking gnome with wildly colorful clothing and a slight bleaching in his hair (mostly covered by the jester's cap he is wearing), tumbles into the room, obviously showing off.
When his cap falls off, he scoops it up with as much flair as he can. Apparently some of the seems are coming loose and, apparently, there has been no opportunity to repair it on the journey.
Flourishing the cape he says, "BK reporting for duty!"
His mouth is stretched into a wild grin, perhaps a bit too wide. He eyes show desperation and everything he says seems like it ends with an exclamation point.
"I practically DIED on the way over, it was soooOOoo boring! I'm ready for some action!"
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"You’ve been called in because we need assistance forging a potential alliance with a powerful entity. An ancient dragon by the name of Valashinaz dwells beneath much of Tian Xia. She’s known to be a collector of great knowledge and artifacts and has more recently become open to sharing said knowledge."
"I was able to contact Valashinaz’s assistant, a kobold called Purepurin, who has been arranging meetings between her mistress and interested parties. Venture-Captain Yi Da Som and I have secured a meeting for this afternoon, in about—" She glances at a water clock in the room. "—five hours."
"The Decemvirate and I have other business to attend to prior to the meeting," Da Som chimes in. "It would be remiss of us to attend such an important meeting without presenting a gift beforehand, but we are unable to arrive until the exact meeting time."
Da Som takes out a stack of exquisitely bound books, each bearing an embroidered symbol of the Pathfinder Society. She carefully wraps them in a patchwork silk cloth and places it on the table. "Pathfinders, please take this gift and present it to Valashinaz. Her assistant Purepurin will be waiting at the cave entrance to her vaults to introduce you to her mistress. Show them the respect and dignity of the Pathfinder Society so we can present our case for a partnership that will benefit all the people we serve. Do you have any questions?"
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Ebiten smiles at the spread, Oo, tamagoyaki... and gyoza... erm... mandoo?
He looks up sheepishly from his plate, food piled high, Oh, I am Ebiten! Pleased to meet you all, and you, Taki-san! It means waterfall in my language. I am a Runic Fist, blending hand to hand skills with what you would call magic, of sorts.
The teen boy's grin is kind of infectious, though his manners could use a little refinement. No doubt, it would come in time...
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We get to meet a dragon? One of the dragons of the earth?!? This is the best day... ever! Ebiten blurts out. Looking around at everyone's reaction, he covers his mouth and shakes his head in the negative to the Venture-Captain's question.
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Zenobia looks at the books with interest. "Oh are those Pathfinder Chronicles? Can I... oh", her delight turns to disappointment as Da Som wraps them up.
"What kind of behavior does Valashinaz, or Purepurin, expect of us? We seem to have different talents" she eyes the team members, "available here. Serious or entertaining? Any topic to especially avoid?"
She puts her teacup back on the plate, gets off the chairs and goes lying on her stomach facing the cups. She bends backwards until she can pick up the cup with her feet, and takes a sip. "Passable, could be better", she judges herself, pushes up to a handstand and to normal standing position from there.
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"Well, funny the task. I actually was planning to go there myself and I did some research. Valashinaz dwells in a massive underground cave system normally inhabited by creatures like rats and giant centipedes, but her kobold attendants keep her lair free of pests, including intrusive adventurers. The steward Purepurin curates the guest list and arranges tours and trades of goods or information. A friendly tribe of goblins lives near Valashinaz’s closest cave entrance. This tribe is known for both their culinary and alchemical mastery, having contributed to some of the traps within the vaults."
She lectures others while her raven stretches its wings.
"Did pathfinders had any business with other dragons in the past? Any advice on how to handle it?" she wonders for a moment
"We are not offered here as snacks to go with the lecture right?"
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Waterfall shakes her head. "You will not have to invest in climbing gear. We hear that the goblins enter and leave like regular folks and not have to climb down. You should be fine."
"Well, as we are trying to forge an alliance with Valashinaz, I would suggest you be on best behavior. Don't do anything that might make the Society look bad, you understand? If there's nothing else, I wish you the best of luck."
The bustle of cart vendors and morning greetings gives way to rolling hills and birdsong on the path out of Haseong. Farmers in the distance occasionally pause their work to give friendly waves. Cattle dot far off fields colored by flourishing crops. The cart lent by the Lantern Lodge, enchanted to deal with unpaved terrain, leisurely rolls off the road without issue, the horse at its head expertly leading its charges into rockier countryside. Time passes peacefully, swirling clouds blotting out the vibrant sun to gentle its gaze on the world below.
The three-hour journey to the cave is a pleasant one with little issue. Much of the journey is off-road, heading deeper into a quiet part of the countryside. There are few other travelers in this peaceful, isolated area, though the occasional animal might scamper past, and the rough dirt roads are unfriendly to most modes of transportation.
About two and a half hours into the journey, you come upon a cart that is stuck in a ditch on a very basic dirt road.
A cart tied to two unbothered goats lies toppled on its side, one back wheel firmly trapped in a divot in the dirt path. A cheerful working song mixes with Goblin swears as a flustered goblin tugs uselessly at one of the goats’ reins. There’s a small grilling table built into the cart, where two goblins roast brightly colored skewers despite the conundrum. A dangerously loose sign dangles off the back proclaiming "SPICY DEATH CHICKEN CHALLENGE" in multiple languages with prices for their wares.
Several other goblins have set up in the grass to pickle vegetables and sing a merry tune, surrounded by glass jars chock full of meat and pickles as well as ceramic jugs flowing with spices and sauces. Many of the ceramics look too finely crafted to be cookware, their elegant designs and patterns smeared in chili powder and garlic paste.
As you approach, one of the goblins looks up. "Longshanks! We's needs help! Cart stuck! You help and we give food? Yes?"
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One of the goblins comes up to you. "Oh we's grateful. I's Dokk. We's gives yous food if help!"
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Back at the briefing...
"Speaking of best behavior, I recall that Valashinaz requires an offering of unique knowledge from her visitors or you have to stay until you do! So come up with something now."
BK eyes the cart doubtfully. The only thing big enough to list the cart would be one of his illusions, and, well, that would not work so well. So instead he half-heartedly entertains folks with his flute.
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Zenobia looks at the efforts and sighs. "It would be easier if we emptied the cart a bit. Of course we can go this way and use unnecessary amounts of force."
Despite her attitude she goes to help in the pushing.
She looks for the position giving most leverage, and sets herself so that she can use her leg and core muscles to push. Without a sound she pushes with all the strength of her tiny frame.
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You bid the goblins good-bye and proceed to the cave.
The peaceful hills show little sign of civilization, only the occasional rabbit scampering by. The afternoon sun beams down onto the rocky terrain and tall grass and weeds, unhampered by the business of mortals, wave gently in the breeze. You arrive at the rocky hillside with roughly two hours remaining before the scheduled meeting time. It’s a calm, desolate area surrounded by vibrant foliage. Following the map leads to the brush where the cave entrance is hidden, but no one is there to greet you.
You notice several rocks that don't look right. Close inspection reveals that they are bombs of some sort, but short of setting them off, there is no way to tell what they are.
The bomb explodes into a cloud of spicy, choking gas that envelops the area.
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Jotrix and her raven manage to disable the traps. As you prepare to enter the cave itself, Dokk, one of the goblins from the road runs up to you, out of breath.
"Is... ones... yous... Jortix?" it asks, regaining its breath. "I's gets message from 'Paffinder So-City' that Jortix no signs forms. I's have form here. Yous sign. I's wait"
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Ghardak walks up to the first door and pulls it open.
The cavernous vault is filled nearly to the brim with treasure divided into various ceiling-high piles. Coins, trinkets, and entire chests pack together into wavering columns that tremble beneath their own weight. Carved niches along the high stone walls display beautiful art objects and jars of curious liquids that glisten in crystalline light, small shapes visible in some of the vessels. A rat peers out from an empty niche and a muffled shout echoes from within the mountains of gold.