Sheila Heidmarch stands before a window in her study, sunlight glittering on her signature emerald garments. She speaks in a deep and sonorous voice, and wastes no time getting to her point.
"First, thank you for gathering here on such short notice. Please have a seat. Once you’ve heard what I have to tell you, I believe you will forgive my enthusiasm. Documents we recovered from our Thassilonian excavations describe an elven fortress on the border between the Mierani Forest and the former Thassilonian province of Cyrusian. Because the borders of the forest have receded in the years since, any remaining ruins must be well outside of the forest as it now stands. As I’m sure you’re aware, the elves of Kyonin typically guard elven historical sites closely, but in this case
it seems the elves have lost all record of the site; they don’t even know it exists. Needless to say, this discovery represents an invaluable opportunity for the society to explore without supervision. Take this map and make your preparations. I want you to reach the tower before news of its discovery reaches any of our rivals.
"First, verify that the ruin even exists. Assuming there’s still something there, I want a detailed report on the architecture of the site. We don’t gain access to ancient elven ruins often, and this investigation must be thorough. Finally, bring back any surviving artifacts left by the elves who built and occupied the tower."
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” Greetings. “
As he bows and takes the offered chair. The heavily bearded human wearing leather armor covered in many pouches and bottles. He lights and takes two long puffs on a pipe as he listens to the report. He has a long spear propped against the wall and a dagger at his belt.
”Fascinating account really. Xim, Roderick Xim that is. At your service.
And indeed this appears to be the place and we undoubtedly are the assembled team. So this place has eluded the elves? Fascinating.“
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A Tian-Min man sits in one of the couches petting a gold furred arctic fox on his lap as he listens to the venture captain. The man wears finely made clothes made of silk. A sheathed longsword lies across his lap. The fox bats at the end of his long red hair. With his other hand he scratches the fox's chin.
"Should we expect any undead?" he calmly asks.
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A nagaji in Tien-style rides to the stables at Heidmarch Manor on an owlbear who has some reddish scales mingling with its feathers. He dismounts and secures a gleaming lance to the side. He ties the fearsome creature up himself, but still tosses a coin to the stablehand.
His smile is wide as he enters the study, exposing far more teeth than most are comfortable with, but still jovial. A battleaxe hangs from his belt, and his left arm grips a shield with the device of a lion's head mid-roar, looking as if it could reach out and bite you. His pronunciation is precise as he responds.
"A fair day to you, Lady Heidmarch, and to all my new Pathfinder friends. My name is Shidō Raigami-Blakros, and it is my honor to be accompanying each of you on what I am sure will be a fruitful expedition."
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A lean and agile man with red hair walks forward.
”Hey everyone, I am Suussmaar! Glad to meet out all!”
He has a bastard sword at his hip and a longbow on his back.
He wears a mithral chainshirt that looks like it has not seen much battle.
Resting on top of his chest is an amulet showing the holy symbol of Ragathiel which looks like a bastard sword crossed with a crimson wing.
“Well, a small task … but dangers await!? Hmm ... I don’t know a much about the background of elven history so I hope the others can chip in. Is there anything else that is relevant like known dangers or specific information about the past or this fortress?“
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Now, ruins I can understand. Elves are not my forte'
A tall figure steps out from the shadows of a dark corner in the room, a dark green cloak and hood covering him. He pulls his hood back to reveal a face with sharp Elven features, bows curtly, saying, ”Perhaps I can help there; Wymarc, at your service…”
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“Well, a small task … but dangers await!? Hmm ... I don’t know a much about the background of elven history so I hope the others can chip in.“
"Worry not," the shield Shidō carries interjects. "I, Guardian, an an expert in all things historical. Although the majority of elves live in Kyonin, there are some conflicting reports that they originate from another world entirely. They first came to Golarion via a portal from the planet Castrovel, where they..."
The shield will continue talking until interrupted.
Venture-Captain Heidmarch clears her throat, cutting off Shido's shield before it can get too carried away.
The Venture-Captain glances at Suussmaar. "The tower appears as a reference in the journal of an emissary to the elves sent from Xin-Cyrusian. In her journal, the wizard left detailed notes about the tower’s location and mentioned the building’s luxurious accommodations.
She then turns to Roderick and says, "Yes, it is unusual that the location has eluded the elves thus far. The Celwynvian elves maintain tight borders, and many believe the territory to be haunted by spirits that feast on foreigners. Some of the information may be superstition, but it has been enough to scare off curious eyes."
"And of course, similar locations have been warded by magic and guarded by outsiders. I doubt that the elves would design anything that would harm their own kind, but we have not explored enough elven sites to offer more than speculation. I do doubt that there will be many undead, given the wards--but there are those rumors of spirits haunting the territory."
Looking to Wymarc, then the rest of the party, she adds, "Nonetheless, I am confident in your skills and training."
She clasps her hands behind her back and circles back around to her desk in the study. "I am sure you have questions, but we have precious few answers. I will answer what I can, but the sooner you set off, the sooner you can discover those missing details for us."
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Slender, blond-haired man sits down looking at other group members present. The man is carrying a musket and a flail. "Jaakko Varpunen here, at your service! My specialty would be musket shooting. Also I'm fluent in Infernal and Ignan, which you undoubtedly will notice if we encounter enemies." he says
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”Our specialty? Interesting question. I suppose enjoying a good draft or pipe will not suffice“
Roderick sets down his pipe.
”My specialty on missions is to provide range damage support and to a lesser extent enancements or healing during combats that tend to ensue. Roderick Xim for the late comers.“
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Suussmaar nods at all the Pathfinders.
"Well, it seems that are quite the martial and divine bunch here. But we will manage."
He then looks at Shidō and the shield.
"Is this a spell or does the shield really talk? And can you tell us more about these rune lords? What is that?" he says with a raised eyebrow.
My strong right hand,
I regret that my need to lie low means that we cannot discuss your recent successes in person, but such is the price we must pay to advance our cause. I have recently become aware of some minor demon-calling activity in the vicinity of your ruin. Allowing demons to run amok in the colonies is simply bad for our reputation, so be sure to dispose of any demonology paraphernalia that may be used to conjure them, and I will personally ensure you’re rewarded.
Anticipating your return,
Paracountess Zarta Dralneen
Loyal Pathfinder,
The chance to explore an ancient elven structure is not just an opportunity to study that site alone; such a fortress must also contain a map showing the location of other elven sites—perhaps even more that the elves have forgotten about since their exodus in the Age of Darkness. Either retrieve any such map that you come across or, if it cannot be removed, record the locations of any other ancient settlements that it depicts.
Remember to check for traps,
Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin
Light of liberty,
Congratulations on your latest assignment. Although elves aren’t known for practicing slavery, I’ve heard they have some very clever devices for restraining prisoners. If you find anything suitable in working condition, bring it to me so we can construct a skeleton key, or at least train our operatives to pick them open quickly.
Equality and strength,
Major Colson Maldris
Lion on the hunt,
A minor noble we favor in Magnimar has confided a desire to claim noble elven ancestry without being laughed at. Elven heritage carries enough cachet in Magnimar to expand her influence, so I want you to help. Please take the enclosed sketch and family tree and find something to bolster her claim, such as records or portraits of elves that resemble her.
Onward to glory,
Lady Gloriana Morilla
Sheila Heidmarch dismisses you and you begin your preparations. The following morning, you set forth toward the ruins. It is an uneventful trek, although Shido does manage to hear a rumor about the ruins from a passing caravan.
go missing on particularly dark nights."
You arrive before the ruins early in the morning several days' ride later. Time and cataclysm have laid low the once proud fortress that guarded against the power and guile of Thassilon’s greatest province. A lump of weathered stone, all that is visible of the Tower of the Ironwood Watch, stands alone on a lonely plain in the Velashu Uplands where it protrudes from a low hill. Three closely grouped stone turrets arranged in a triangle form the bulk of the tower, though all but the ground floor has collapsed since the tower’s abandonment. Built to impress dignitaries as well as provide defense, the tower’s rooms rise to a height of 15 feet unless otherwise noted, and the walls are all superior masonry decorated to appear like polished wood.
A set of double-doors, largely intact, remain closed before you. In addition, you noticed on your approach that there is a collapsed wall on the southern side of the complex.
Suussmaar also picks up an additional rumor from a passing caravan.
Circumnavigating the tower doesn't reveal much. There is what seems to be a partially collapsed section in the southern turret, which may provide an alternative entrance as opposed to the front gate. From an exterior vantage point, it looks like the crumbling stone walls have fallen outward, leaving a field of stones blanketed in moisture trails and weeds.
The front gate itself is unlocked and does not appear to be trapped.
Roderick opens the door while Shido prepares to charge. The preparation seems unnecessary this time, as the room seems devoid of occupants.
Stone walls stretch between three rounded turrets to form a vaguely triangular central room. Long forgotten elven heroes bearing swords and hunting hawks stand proudly immortalized as marble statues, silently guarding the shadowed alcoves between the towers. A damp, earthy smell rises from the carpet of moss and small fungi that covers the floor. In fact, this whole room seems almost choked with fungi--some of which you recognize as poisonous, but the variety of species is too broad to allow a PC to discern exactly what poisons they might be used to make.
Wymarc enters first, followed closely behind by Shido, Roderick and the others.
As soon as Shido enters, a voice announces loudly in Elven, ""
It seems to have emanated from the two statues in the corners of the room. Simultaneously, a wave of sleepiness assaults all of your senses.
Suussmaar
Shido
Ki Chin (sleeping)
Roderick
Wymarc
Ki Chin is overcome with drowsiness and slumps over into slumber amid the fungus fields blanketing the room.
The silence is deafening in the wake of that loud announcement, but nothing seems to be moving around in the room, at least.
Suussmaar
Shido
Ki Chin
Roderick
Jaakko
Wymarc
Suussmaar finds that something seems to be interfering with his spellcasting, as the spell fails to take effect. At the same time, Roderick moves to Ki Chin's side and wakes him.