This time, you are summoned and assigned a mission in Thuvia, specifically in Merab, the largest of Thuvia’s city-states and the region from which the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues once waged war against the Jistka Imperium in ancient times. The society has arranged ferries to carry you across the Inner Sea, with the rendezvous point set at the Twisting Garden Lodge in Merab, an expansive garden maze surrounded by a few small buildings that house caretakers, residents, and visitors.
It takes nearly five full minutes, even with a guide, to traverse the maze of hedges and sandstone walls leading to the center of the Twisting Garden Lodge in Merab. The path eventually opens onto a spacious courtyard with a large pavilion at the center. A voice calls out, “Please, join me, before the food grows stale!” The guide gestures to the pavilion, where cushioned benches line the edges of the shaded area and surround a large table covered in delicacies. There your host awaits, wearing a loosely wrapped red and white headscarf affixed at her shoulder with a scarab pin.
“I am Venture-Captain Diya Akan. Please, eat. Then we shall talk.” Her eyes, though clouded with blindness, betray her elven heritage. A dog with sand-colored fur snoozes at the venture-captain’s feet, his ears giving the occasional twitch when someone speaks.
Diya continues. “If you have spent any time in Merab these past few weeks, you have no doubt witnessed the ongoing construction as this city expands to meet its fast-growing demand for housing. You may have also heard that an archaeological dig team accidentally loosed an angry spirit on the city when they broke into an ancient section of the undercity. Rumors are swirling, and the creature is causing serious harm. Usually this would be left to the city watch, not the Pathfinder Society, but— well, I will let the Sapphire Sage explain.” She hands a letter to whoever is nearest. “Read it aloud, would you?”
What should have been a routine survey expedition in Merab recently unleashed an evil being of unknown nature upon the city. I have since felt the creature pulling at me and my sapphire jewel, as if yearning—nay, hungering—for its powers. I believe that this creature can sense relics of great import to the Jeweled Sages, and it is searching for something with great intensity. I dare not approach the city myself lest it turn its search on me. I entrust you with the task of tracing its path, determining its destination, and acquiring whatever objects it seeks.
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage
“Merab’s officials have requested that your first order of business be to inspect and clear the ruin. You may learn something of the creature’s purpose in the process. I suggest you interview the dig team and speak with the scholar Obahar, who is probably already nosing about the site. You can trust his assistance. After investigating the ruin, follow up on these leads, and any others you discover. We must discover what this creature wants, as Amenopheus asked.” She slides over a sheet of paper as conclusion of her speech.
—A woman under the care of Sarenites at the Temple of the Redeeming Sun started raving in Ancient Osiriani, and no one can cure her. The creature could be responsible. See what she has to say.
—A young alchemist is suspected of poisoning his customers. Official reports state he blubbered about a “demonic face.” Insufficient evidence for an arrest, so they closed his shop. Talk to him—get more details. Could be related.
"but before I send you on your way, please enlighten me. Who did the Grand Lodge send to me for this mission? They did not bother with an advanced notification, since such communication hardly beats the Pathfinders in arrival time."
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A kitsune tips his hat with an elaborate bow. "And I am Rrenarrdagnan, memberr of the rrevolutionarry musketeerrs. I sworre an oath to prrotect all ladies, and be honorrable in combat. Rrecently, I found enlightenment, I had been following the way of Iomedae! 'I am the firrst into battle, and the last to leave it.' 'I will neverr rrefuse a challenge from an equal. 'I will sufferr death beforre dishonorr!' I have found my goddess."
"So, at yourr serrvice... miss?" he says to Charity, uncertainly as he is not familiar with vanaras.
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A varisian female steps in. People may find Shelyn's holy symbol on her, as well as a hand-drum. You could hardly tell she's a cleric or bard, until she speaks out:
"Hi everyone, glad to meet you all. I am Kroissando Caféran. I am a bard devoting myself to the path of art. I love music and croissant, so you can call me Croissant :). I am glad having a peer here for further discussion of music, of course, after this mission. I am ready to taking interviews with those people."
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A muscular half-orc wearing a breastplate with a finely crafted composite longbow over her shoulder and a greatsword at her hip steps forward. Her skin tone is light green, she has brown hair and clear blue eyes.
She introduces herself:
"I'm Nabla, Nabla Ulich. I am a ranger who guides her teammates through rough terrain and wilderness. I am good with both my bow and my sword, but talking to people isn't my strong suit. Glad to have two experts for that matter on the team."
Some of you might know more about the culture and people of Merab......
The people of Thuvia are often quite religious and observe a number of superstitions. Citizens may be reluctant to speak of evil creatures.
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The most common type of fiend encountered in Thuvia is the div, a creature spawned from a corrupted genie that seeks the corruption of all things.
And some of you might know more about the ancient ruins beneath Merab......
During Merab’s millennia of continuous occupation, its citizens have as often demolished or build atop of older structures. As a result, it’s not unusual for dig crews to stumble upon long-concealed layers generally referred to as the undercity.
DC20
Typically, such ruins are uncovered as the city expands outward, but this discovery was near the center of the city, where previous construction is being cleared to make way for newer, sturdier buildings. These ruins likely predate any known structures.
Diya asks for members of the Scarab Sages faction to stay for a few moments longer. She explains that whatever these ruins are, they clearly bear some relation to the sage jewels. While finding the fiend and ending its reign of terror is a priority, a thorough investigation of the ruins could yield invaluable discoveries for the faction.
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"I shall go collect storries and rrumorrs arround the taverrns of this fabulous city! Of what evils live underr and..." Renardagnan tries to plan his tour of the city, but is stopped by Charity's information.
"Ah, well, no need forr taverrns then. Well known, indeed, Milady", he appreciates Charity's knowledge. "Maybe afterr, to make new storries and rrumourrs about ourr achievements."
After your meeting with the Venture-Captain, you head toward the ruin as requested by the officials.
Merab’s population has grown steadily over the past decade, and construction crews—such as this one—have prospered, breaking new ground and leveling old buildings to make way for new structures. It is not uncommon for workers to break through into a collapsed section of the old city—or more accurately, older cities.
When you arrived at the dig site, nearly a dozen workers mill about the area as a wide array of excavation tools gather dust in the corners. A bearded man busily examines charts and objects laid out on a wooden table shaded by temporary awnings. A muscular young man in his late teens walks up and says, “I am Anaref. If you’ve come to cleanse the ruins of evil, I’ll tell you all you need to know!”
"I saw the creature with my own eyes! A floating head, with a tongue as long as my arm and eyes like ice. It tried to lick me! I asked my gran, and she says it was a vargywheel." This Anaref boy is quite animated in his description.
The young man's head lowers, sadden by his failure to "contribute" to your cool investigation.
"Alright. All I know is that it's hideous, angry, and could fly. If you want to know more, you gotta talk to the boss Kehl. She is the leader of the team."
The young man nods and leads you to the team leader, who introduce herself as Kehlaviya.
You notice that she wears a bracelet with a protective talisman bearing the symbol of Pharasma.
"Pathfinder huh? Looks like someone calls in the professional. While sitting around is not going to earn us any silver pieces, what you're asking is something I really shouldn't talk about. Sorry mate." she declines your request to talk about the "evil thing" with a warding gesture.
Local superstition dictates that speaking of a near-death experience is a good way to tempt fate to repeat it.
Kehlaviya shivers in fear as she recalls what she saw: "It was a floating head, like the others say—thin and ugly. Seemed to be in quite a bit of pain. Reminded me of a rabid animal. I heard it in my mind. It said it was looking for the dungeons, and that ‘she who wears the spiral of death’ would be there. I have no idea what it meant. I’ll admit, I don’t scare easy, but it scared the skin off me. Please kill it."
With that, she gives you the key to the padlock that secures the entrance to the ruin entrance.
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"A floating head sounds like those otherrworrldy oddities that can rresist damage. A good chance to test my special materrial bullets!" Renardagnan says, takes out his musket and loads it with a silvery bullet.
"Ladies, any prreparrations you want to do orr arre we rready forr this valorrous voyage?"
The old man that is examining some old blueprints on a table near the ruin entrance glancing up at the commotion you guys make, and startles when he notices you. He stops what he was doing and walks up to you.
"You guys must be the Pathfinders. I am Obahar, local expert on archeology and ancient history. I’m glad you’re here! With our combined expertise, we’ll have this all figured out soon enough! While I am eager to learn more about the ruins, I am afraid my adventuring days are long behind me. Please go inside and take careful note of what you discover. This is possibly the most important find in Merab’s history—aside from the sun orchid elixir, of course! Where was I? Ah yes. The ruins spat out one fiend already, so there’s no telling what awaits you. Whatever you find, return it as-is. When you report back, we can find out where this monster is from and what it might be up to."
It turns out that Obahar is actually a retired Pathfinder himself, and is a friend of Venture-Captain Diya Akan. He asks you guys, especially those from the Scarab Sages, that whenever you make an interesting discovery, you take note of what your senses—aside from sight—can tell them about whatever you found. He awkwardly explains that, after all, "The venture-captain will have need of such descriptions—the smell of the objects, the way they feel, and so on. Just don’t taste anything—could be dangerous!"
This is also a good time to make any last minute purchases before you delve into the ruins
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"Greetings everyone,sorry that I am late, the transport got delayed in a storm getting to Merab. I am Theolish." said the Vetala-Born Dhampir as he came huffing down the path.
Wearing black robes with silver threads and a light crossbow strapped over his shoulder, the pale looking figure made his way towards the group."Welcome, I was told that you had been sent to the ruins to check out the creature that seems to have been awoken from its slumber. What can you tell me so far? he asked.
After getting updated, he pulled out two wands.
"Oh, if something was to happen to me, please only use this wand..." he asked, holding a silver colored wand with a black tip. "and not this one." displaying a plain willow wand in his other hand. "This one I use to heal your bumps and bruises.
Hearing the comment from Obahar, he had a faint smile as he pondered the request. "The reports we submit will have the necessary information, in the hope that one day it might become part of a Chronicle"
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I too, had some troubles on the roads, and I apologise. My name is Erhun. I've heard there are some ruins to explore, and probably some undead activity. I hope I'll be able to put an end to such activity, for Anubi's glory.
The man is tall, almost lanky, with a pale skin and red hair and beard.
He carries a two handed axe, and another massive, blunt weapon, and wears a chain shirt
I've bought some holy items at the old temple, that might always be useful.
He simply nods at the man
We'll report our findings accordingly, as Pathfinders shall do.
After you finish your prep, you enter the ruin......
.....The air cools as the tunnel leads deeper beneath Merab. Wooden supports shore up the walls in more precarious spots, and abandoned side tunnels show where the crew explored layers of older construction beneath the dig site. Eventually, the tunnel intersects a wall of much older construction than the surrounding area. Sledgehammers and other tools lie outside a hole in the wall large enough for a person to step through that opens onto a large room. The southern part of the room is largely collapsed. A sprawling message in red symbols covers the floor.
When you step foot into the room, the magic symbols on the floor writhe into a spiral, and a telepathic message broadcast by an irritated, deep feminine voice enters the mind of ALL of you:
"Pathetic slave! Your base obsession with secrets served its purpose for a time, but you have grown tiresome. And now you dare to turn this obsession against me?! Foolish! You could have served a higher purpose, empowering me for all eternity. Now, for your defiance, you will grow to hate your immortality. You will wallow in ignorance forever, and even I, your master, will forget you."
Your taunt and parley receive no response but your own echoes.
To your right is a small room with a chest.
The passageway in front of you lead to a room filled with broken marble and weapons. A stair leading up to a elevated platform.
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"So everryone hearrd the strrange lady voice? I didn't underrstand why she would say such things to me, maybe we hearrd herr speaking to someone else?", Renardagnan wonders about the voice.
"Forrwarrd looks the main way, but betterr to make surre rrearr is safe. So let's see what's in that chest", he decides and goes to the small room.
A chest sits in this room’s western alcove. The chest is locked , but in poor condition. A short stairs go to another room on the bottom right corner.
A chest sits in this room’s western alcove. The chest is locked , but in poor condition. A short stairs go to another room on the bottom right corner.
Renardagnan tries to bang the chest with the butt of his musket. "I can shoot at the lock, but it brreaks the lock morre often than opens it. And we might find a key laterr", he says between the thwacks.
[dice=Force open]1d20