You have been asked to convene at the fledgling and distant Port Valen lodge, which you may access via the Maze of the Open Road.
|
A fair-skinned female aiuvarin, with long red hair under a tricorn hat, enters the lodge. She wears a pitch-black sailor’s outfit, and matching leather gauntlets with runes etched on the cuffs. A rapier and hand crossbow are on her belt.
“Good day t’ye”, she says, doffing her hat. ”Black Molly’s the name”
|
Blub
Squish looks more like a set of oddly connected burlap sacks filled with Jell-o than a person, but nonetheless they speak with surprising grace despite lack of an obvious mouth and a slight bubbling sound. They carry an acacia staff topped with eye-shaped gemstones that seems to provide Squish's sight.
"Yes... Here's the long story short. Much like Valais Durant I was rescued from Thurl's laboratory. I don't remember who I was before but Valais Durant told me I needed more levity in my life so have decided to be called 'Squish'."
Blub
|
|
A halfling, small but stout, wearing an armor of interwoven metal cables arrives at their meeting place. One can see that he has some tools at his disposal: a frying pan, a huge two-pronged fork, a long piece of wooden pole, and a Y-shaped staff. Stowed behind him is a steel shield.
"I’ve never ventured this far, but I’m always ready for more. Basag Bungo, at your service!"
|
Wearing a studded leather armor the dwarf with a brown-red beard is simply carrying a steel shield apart of his clan dagger hanging at his belt. But the special is more to be found in his history. Born in a maze under the Five Kings Mountains, where forge, fire and lava were omnipresent, he was imbued with fire. And he managed to dominate it.
Having carefully presented - meaning he did nothing special as usual - he inquiries: My name's Benkost. Why have we been summoned here?
|
|
A happy-go-lucky gnome emerges, stumbling from the Maze of the Open Road. He sees the crowd of Pathfinders and blushes to the roots of his red hair. "Oops! Sorry all. I lost track of time! Had this brilliant comedy session at ... " he notices he's rambling and blushes again. "Gnimishmeijinomu! Well, you can just call me Gnimish"
Having traversed the new portal in the Maze of the Open Road, the party finds itself convening around the massive hearth fire in the center of the fledgling Port Valen lodge. The setting is quite conducive to conversation.
”Ah”, Molly replies. ”And who’s Granny, then?”
"If he refuses to give answer to your question, he would not be the first Pathfinder to carry secrets." The female voice belongs to the gnome Pathfinder agent, Lirall, who serves as both scribe and interpreter to Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen. She is accompanied by Venture-Captain Torresen himself. The slender dromaar venture officer stands about six-and-a-half feet tall, sporting black hair tied back into a ponytail and a beard braided to three points. At his one side is a black and white husky who wears a harness featuring the Pathfinder Society's symbol. At his other, stands a human woman. She is one of Mahwek people dominate northeastern Arcadia.
The dog releases a short howl, prompting Lirall to smile. "Mahki here thinks he already knows the answer," she notes, as the gnome gives the animal a quick rub behind the ears. "But, don't worry. Mahki swears that he won't tell anyone."
Lirall then flashes some Pathfinder hand signals to the deaf dromaar, who nods as a tusk-filled smile forms on his face. Venture-Captain Bjersig Torrsen takes up a place near the flames. His oversized gestures convey his excitement. “Welcome to the far side of the map! I don’t know what I was expecting to find here, but it sure wasn’t the hospitality that the locals have shown us. I mean, just look at this new lodge! It’s like we never left home!
“Speaking of leaving home, we’ve worked alongside Rahaksenwe here and other Port Valen leaders to link this lodge to the Maze of the Open Road." Torrsen gives an appreciative glance toward the Mahwek woman, then continues. "They helped us set up the portal so that future Pathfinders won’t need to cross monster-infested waters to get here like we had to. That help wasn’t free, though.”
Rahaksenwe nods and explains, “The portal could not have been completed without the blessing of Viltydus, the fey guardian who guides travelers through the Forest of Trials. Viltydus has a keen eye for heroic potential, and their one condition for building and maintaining the portal is that Pathfinder agents must assist them regularly to foster greatness in this region. That’s why you’re here: to hold up your end of that bargain.”
Torrsen jumps back in. “So, wash up, get what you need from the quartermaster, and follow the footpath just outside the town gate right to the stump at the edge of the forest. Viltydus will meet you there—somehow, they can always sense when Pathfinders are on the way! Any questions?”
Molly gives Lirall a small shrug, and turns to Torrsen. ”Oh, quite! What does ‘foster greatness’ mean to our host? What, exactly, are we expected to do? And does that dog actually talk?”
As Lirall silently translates Molly's questions into Napsu-Sign language, also known as Pathfinder Hand Signs, Rahaksenwe interjects a reply. “Viltydus will provide details once you meet with them. They care deeply about legendary exploits, so your tasks won’t be chopping wood or other mundane work. I doubt you’d have made it this far if you didn’t have the skills to handle whatever Viltydus needs, though.”
When she is finished speaking, Torrsen adds, "As for Mahki, I must admit that I have not heard him actually speak." The dromaar smiles. 'But, then, I have also been deaf since birth. Granted, I am quite skilled at reading lips; still I cannot tell for sure what all Mahki has to say. What I can say for certain is that Mahki faithfully serves as my ears when necessary."
"That, and that some gnomes have a penchant for telling jokes and for pulling the occasional prank." Torrsen adds. The dromaar's words prompt Lirall to blush.
|
|
Rusputin, sometimes known as Rusty, smiles a little at the comment about gnomes putting pranks. He is also a bit relieved he doesn't have to really explain who 'Granny' is, which most likely would end with the entire story of Irrisen's history, including how Queen Anastasia arrived on the throne.
He ponders on what he knows (Society +11) as pondering if he should learn sign. Could be useful.
What does Viltydus look like, and how do they prefer to be addressed - personal pronouns and the like. Some folk get a bit twitchy if one gets them wrong.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
What does Viltydus look like, and how do they prefer to be addressed - personal pronouns and the like. Some folk get a bit twitchy if one gets them wrong.
"Viltydus is a naturally occurring entity of primal magic." Torrsen explains. "I suppose they could manifest in most any gender, shape, or manner of their choosing. The pronouns they/them would seem most appropriate, but I doubt they likely to be offended by the use of another as long as such was used with an intent to acknowledge the guardian's dignity or to convey a sense of respect."
"The appearance of most crossroad guardians reflects aspects of the community in which they are found." Rahaksenwe adds. "Viltydus has been known to appear as a Mahwek individual. As for how they wish to be addressed, I suggest that you address them by name." A grin forms on her face. "And suggest that you expect them to do the same for you."
Both Blub and Rusputin recall that Valenhall is a legendary warrior’s paradise glorified in Ulfen fables, able to be found only by those beckoned to it by a mythical call. Scholars disagree as to whether it’s a real place or an aspirational metaphor, a mystery the Pathfinder Society hopes to solve. Last year, a Pathfinder expedition crossed the ocean to the seaside Arcadian town of Port Valen, a waystation on the path to Valenhall, and established a new lodge in the former feasting hall of King Sveinn Blood-Eagle—where the present meeting with Venture-Captain Torrsen is taking place.
|
|
”I suppose that’s all we’re getting for now”, says Molly, ”but just so there’s no surprises…Cap’n on deck!”
The space beside her wavers, and a greenish-blue apparition appears. It looks like a human pirate, with a long gray beard and an eyepatch. One hand holds a cutlass, while the other has been replaced by a shadowy hook. A skull and crossbones appear on his hat, as well as Molly’s.
”Avast, me hearties!”, he proclaims. ”Silverbeard walks again!”
”We’re meeting up with some fae muckety-muck”, Molly tells him, ”so don’t cross ‘em”
”Fair enough, but if they curdle me rum, all bets’re off!”
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
With the party ready to depart, you travel to the site of the crossroad guardian. Only a short distance beyond Port Valen’s borders toward the forest, you come across a massive stump eight feet in diameter sitting at the edge of the wood. All the surrounding plants and earth seem to direct their focus toward it.
A lithe Mahwek individual stands atop a giant stump, their average height magnified by an awesome presence of personality. Their fingers, lips, ears, eyebrows, and nostrils are richly adorned with dozens of rings, each one made of a different material and etched with varying pictograms and sigils. They speak with a voice like wind in the canopy. “The portal already beckons souls destined for greatness! Welcome, Pathfinders, to the Forest of Trials, a noteworthy juncture in your travels across this vast, beautiful world.”
“Each of you is known to me,” says the individual, who exudes the affection of a proud teacher. “Squish, once all but discarded by the traitorous Thurl, you have since proved your value. Indeed, it is far greater than the few coins the Aspis Consortium was willing to part with, when you wrangled ‘ratatas’ upon the docks at Bloodcove.”
The fey next addresses the rest of the party, magically speaking in a variety of languages.
”And, last but certainly not least,” the fey continues, resuming to speak once again in Common, “Here stands the inseparable Black Molly and Silverbeard. E’er since the sea witch grabbed the captain’s soul following a mutiny on the high seas, up to only in weeks past when you two defeated dread Baron Utomo among the depths beneath them.”
“I, Viltydus, am pleased to be within your collective company and to be able to make use of your assistance.” The fey gives a respectful nod. “Now, I believe you may have some questions for me?”
"How did you know that?" he asks.
Viltydus smiles. “You would expect a blacksmith to know her metals, or a shipwright to know his timbers, no? My trade is in adventure and heroism, so naturally I must know how to recognize the significance of those whose paths I cross.”
How many people are spying us for you indeed? You know a lot about us.
"Spies?!" Viltydus replies. The fey appears to take momentary offense, before a flash of recognition allows them to regain the composure. "Forgive me, Benkost. Your 'legendary tact' is known to me and, yet, I admittedly was still taken by surprise. And, I believe, none of you have ever before encountered a manner of fey such as myself."
The fey explains. "A crossroads guardian knows the name, lineage, and significant history of everyone who speaks to it. If that individual has two or more identities, the crossroads guardian knows all those identities and which one is most true."
But yeah. Squish has a point. How can we help you and fulfil our part of the agreement?
"Squish may not pontificate often, but the fleshforged one does choose his words judiciously." The fey concedes. "
[b]"On this day, you are here to help others striving to answer the call of Valenhall and to aid still others in the recovery from their efforts to reach it." Viltydus declares. "You are a diverse group gathered for to work and so I worked out a diversity of tasks for you complete."
"Let us begin, then with the future. Find a school in Port Valen, the one I have in mind stands two-stories tall,and is well-attended." Viltydus directs. "I shall meet you there."
During the day, at the direction of Viltydus, the party arrives outside of a school in Port Valen. The building is a two-story structure that seems large from the outside but is probably cramped for the roughly 300 students who attend. A smattering of children run about in a play area, but most of the building is relatively quiet as the students within attend to their classes.
Viltydus beams at the school’s entrance. “This is my favorite place in town. The potential that radiates from this building is stunning. Many of these young people will become crafters or sailors or scholars, but some will become true heroes. One particular student with real talent and tenacity has caught my attention. I task you to inspire this individual to realize their destiny as an adventurer!”
"I want you to convince a specific student at this school to focus on her field of interest and use her learning to pursue a heroic career, perhaps even as a Pathfinder initiate." Viltydus explains.
"Her name is Huali," the fey continues providing a basic description of a Mahwek girl. "She has a kind heart and a passion for justice for those who have led difficult lives, especially when arising from others’ cruelty. Her parents have discouraged her keen interest in Iomedae’s faith because they don’t want their daughter following a goddess whom they believe has Azlanti origins. Despite their efforts, her interest in the Inheritor remains and she is drawn to the healing arts."
As the fey completes his proffer of information about the student, the doors of the school suddenly open. A mass of students, released from their studies, pour out the entrance of the school. Among them is a Mahwek girl matching the description of Huali. Viltydus, however, is suddenly nowhere to be found.
|
|
Blub
Squish notes "The Pathfinder Grand Lodge is in Absalom, the City at the Center of the World. Of maybe particular note to you, is the Temple of the Starstone, where Iomedae's patron Abadar raised up the Starstone and saved humanity. Something you could check out if you ever made it out there..."
Blub
|
|
"Food can heal not just the body, but also the soul!" Basaag begins picking up edible mushrooms nearby, sautés them, and adds some spices for flavor. He then offers the same to the student.
"The food itself can't heal, but the properties of its ingredients can provide healing." He continues, explaining the health benefits of food prepared with the right ingredients for the sick.
Squish notes "The Pathfinder Grand Lodge is in Absalom, the City at the Center of the World. Of maybe particular note to you, is the Temple of the Starstone, where Iomedae's patron Abadar raised up the Starstone and saved humanity. Something you could check out if you ever made it out there..."
Blub
"So, you are Pathfinders?" Huali responds, somewhat confused. "I don't have any travel plans anytime soon. And Absalom is so far away, isn't it?"
Huali, come here. Don't be afraid. An adventurer shouldn't not be afraid. She would go into the wilderness and discover all the beauty of the nature. She would learn how to treat wounds with plants. She would find out how to trap the animals to avoid their fangs and claws.
"Good advice, I suppose. But, I'm not afraid." Huali notes. "I know there are some healing plants, but can they be as effective as divine healing?"
"The food itself can't heal, but the properties of its ingredients can provide healing." He continues, explaining the health benefits of food prepared with the right ingredients for the sick.
"This is tasty," she concedes after trying a bite. "But, there is so much suffering in the world, I don't see what difference a few plants can make. Surely, something greater is needed."
|
|
Yes it is, but the Maze of the Open Road can ... well .... cut travel times to a mere instant. Many places have been attached to the Maze.
And I'm Rusputen from Irrisen. I'm used to living in the wilderness there and I can confirm that there are a lot of healing herbs about. Still, if you've got divine healing, that's even more useful - even divine healing in a bottle.
"Being a Pathfinder sounds interesting enough," Huali concedes. "However, I think my efforts should remain focused on my community at the present and on finishing school."
As the young Mahwek girl turns away from the party to join a group of friends, a voice can be heard from behind you.
"Do not allow present setbacks to dissuade your efforts, Pathfinders." The voice belongs to Viltydus, who has suddenly reappeared and stands before a nearby grove. "As I said, your mission regards the future. Travellers may weave widely and vary on their journeys and, yet, still ultimately arrive at the same destination."
"Do not think me mistaken in my choice of this schoolhouse as the location of your task." The fey continues. "Did I not have you seek out a schoolhouse with 'two-stories'?"
"And so, there is another student who may benefit from your inspiration." Viltydus points to a young Valenborn boy. The human is of obvious Ulfen stock. "Bjensen is a natural athlete with a penchant for bravery. He loves to play with wooden swords but is hesitant about becoming a warrior because his father was a bullying brute who left on a longship and never returned. Help set him in the direction of his own epic tale."
Look what we learn in the Society.
Benkost's actions have certainly gotten the young man's attention.