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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. (You can disregard the Class field as it is not updated for Guardian/Commander).
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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A halfling-sized scarecrow appears, dressed in worn, mismatched leathers. He has a Jack o’ lantern for a head. An amulet resembling a wooden door hangs from his neck. A crow looks around from his shoulder; at second glance, it appears to be made of blackened wicker.
He removes the top of his head, and tips it like a hat. ”Blackfeather Jack, at your service!”
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Liwanag Sadilim enters the scence riding a young horse name Sinag. A faint warmth seems to follow him that makes those around him feel safe and protected.
Liwanag’s features carry both his lineage. He has the muscular physique of an Ulfen and a luminous, golden eyes of an angel. He wears a polished breastplate, and a steel shield rests on his arm. His movements are controlled and deliberate, shaped by discipline and the weight of responsibility he carries.
He dismounts and politely nods to everyone. “Greetings. I am Liwanag Sadilim, sworn to uphold the truth, protect the innocent and show mercy to the sinful.”
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A deep brown shape pads into the room, slipping in behind Liwang and his paradoxically understated, yet grand, entrance. Anyone looking at him would likely first notice his lean, efficient physique, the kind developed from a life on the prowl. His gently flaring nose and predator like movements would be a near second. Each step intentionally placed and the slightest tilt of the head granting a better perspective of your vitals.
He creeps along the edge of the space that offers the best vantage point of the exit and its occupants. "Dream Root, I am a hunter," is all he says in a raspy voice, punctuating his introduction with a deep-throated grunt.
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Your adventure begins in the meeting room of the Vodavani Lodge.
A harried gnome clad in a blue turban and matching robe decorated with golden crescent moons and butterflies scurries through the crowded Vodavani Lodge, delegating tasks to various Pathfinders. When she spots you, she issues a warm smile. "Ah, thank you for coming. Gather around over here, please."
Evni motions over to a nearby table upon which rests a parchment map stuck with miniature flag partly obscuring the label "Lastwall." "Apologies for the out-of-date cartography, but it’s the best we can do at this time."
"The re-emergence of Tar-Baphon dealt a devastating blow to the Society, so we’ve been scrambling to consolidate resources. The Society is focusing on missions into the Gravelands for two reasons: to track down the whereabouts of Pathfinder agents who went missing when the undead hordes struck, and to recover the fragments of history and culture that yet survive. I believe you all should have received a letter from me containing your assigned destination."
Evni points to a flag in the southeast portion of Lastwall. "Goldenflame was an idyllic place surrounding a college sponsored and supported by the church of Iomedae.
Fortunately, most of the town was able to evacuate swiftly, but we know that some residents stayed behind out of a sense of civic duty to defend their home against evil."
"Goldenflame College is known for its documentation of the history of both southeastern Lastwall and the activities of the church of Iomedae in the region, as well as its collection of invaluable local curiosities accrued over time. Those relics and stories—if they can be recovered, then Lastwall can live on." Evni excuses herself and shortly returns with a bundle of paper. "These dossiers contain information on all known Pathfinder agents in the region surrounding Goldenflame.
Although we must hold out hope, I cannot truthfully say I am optimistic. Nevertheless, closure is important, and we can properly mourn for their loss and celebrate their lives if we know their fates. Perhaps these documents could be of some use to you in this quest. I’ve also completed and signed travel documentation stating your reasons for being in the Gravelands. Present this document to the border crossing, and you can then be on your way."
Evni walks over to a nearby bench to a relatively massive pack, where she begins sorting through its contents. She pulls out a bundle of sacks. "Here. These are for you to transport any items or—" she bows her head "—remains you might find.
I know it is a sad and gruesome task, but retrieving those fallen Pathfinders would bring closure to their loved ones." Evni then closes the pack and shoulders it. "I’m also heading into the Gravelands myself. May Desna guide us all on our journeys. Hopefully we can find what we seek."
She hands you 10 sacks and a folder containing dossiers of the missing Pathfinders. (Slides 6-7)
"Any questions? Also if you have any last minute preparation, now would be a good time"
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Dream Root whines softly at the mention of the lost Pathfinders and solemnly nods his head as the task to recover their remains is brought before them. We are weaker for every one that falls.
With others asking the more pragmatic questions, Dream Root creeps forth to retrieve the the Agent dossiers. Little information about why they were at Lastwall or where they might be.
"Town Hall, you say? Hopefully their records pair well with the information we have on our lost Agents. We will bring them home, Venture-Captain, one way or another." He offers the files to his fellow Agents, the papers giving slightly between his claws.
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When Liwanag hears about the missing Pathfinders and possibility of returning with remains, his expression shifts. Not because of fear, but of quiet resolve. He takes the sacks and reads the dossiers handed to him by Dream Root. He pays respect as he looks over the profile of every Pathfinder and became more determined than ever to find their whereabouts and provide closure to their loved ones.
“If lives can still be saved, we will save them. And if not, then we will make sure that they are not forgotten.”
He rides his mount as he listens to his allies. He also asks Evni, “What kinds of undead have been reported in the area? Are any of them capable of reason or repentance, or are they fully consumed by the corruption?”
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"Tar-Baphon’s legions are constantly patrolling and are mighty indeed, so I recommend avoiding fights with those troops. Try to identify the paths the undead patrols normally take and travel elsewhere. Covering your tracks would be wise as well. Although I would like you to be as thorough as you can in your investigation, do keep in mind that spending too much time in the Gravelands increases your likelihood of being found, so don’t linger."
"Oh, before you ask, our resources are stretched a bit thin so we are unable to provide mounts. Goldenflame is not far from here, though, so a round trip should be possible in a single day."
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You depart Caliphas early in the day, passing through a heavily fortified Ustalavic border crossing staffed by Knights of Lastwall, one of whom examines your documentation and then waves you through. The day is clear and bright, but the landscape is desolate and quiet, the gently rolling hills devoid of life. Goldenflame is a few hours’ travel southwest of Caliphas by foot.
After some time on the road, a large, steep rise blocks the most direct path through the area, and the road diverts around it.
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Liwanag and Wyrmbarrel easily navigate the hill, helping their other Pathfinders. Aalpo'ol tries to go the long way around but is persuaded to climb the hill, which turns out to be a better experience than he expected
Traveling onwards, you find that a massive patrol of undead troops is approaching but seems not to have noticed you yet; it should be very apparent to you that it would be unwise to engage this undead army.
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"Nobody is as strong as all of us," Dream Root says as the others help hoist him up and over the rise. He emits a high-pitched chuckle and rolls his shoulders as he scampers off a bit to take a peak at what lies in their future.
The Kholo's nose curls at the unsavory scent. "So many... How will we get past?' He looks expectantly at the others, his gaze settling on Blackfeather. "You seem more experienced in the ways of this world than others. You have a plan?" I could sneak past, but we are a pack and must move as one. Our mission is doomed to failure if it is me alone.
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The Kholo's nose curls at the unsavory scent. "So many... How will we get past?' He looks expectantly at the others, his gaze settling on Blackfeather. "You seem more experienced in the ways of this world than others. You have a plan?"
Jack slowly grins. ”I have something better”, he replies. An eerie music starts up, but with a catchy beat.
He does a shuffling zombie dance, as he approaches the patrol.
”Moldered bones and rotten gunk
Are no match for graveyard funk!
Time to move those shattered hips!
Sing a dirge without your lips!
If you’re seeking out the quick,
You know I’ve got just the trick!
Shamble east along this path!
Taste their brains, they’ll taste your wrath!”
He continues dancing off to the side, trying to guide them away from the party.
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While Blackfeather dances, Alpo'ol sends his thoughts back to his young foolish days when he was a cultist and dabbled in foul things like the undead, just to see if he remembers a trick or two to go unseen right by the unliving...
...he then blinks twice and issues a low croak, not remembering a thing.
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Dream Root can't help but to crack a smile when Blackfeather begins his song and dance. I'll need to bring him to the pack after a raid, he'd make for quite the party!
Seeing as the group has no choice but to sneak, he almost immediately slips out of sight. Creeping from shadow to shadow, he puts a lifetime of dedication to work. He tries his best to go slow enough for any of the less practiced of his company to follow him, however. I can't move their bodies for them, but perhaps they can take the same steps I do well-enough to keep the ghouls away.
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Although the outcome was not as expected, Liwanag tells Jack,"The effort is appreciated. Not every tactic works, but your courage does".
Realizing he isn’t stealthy enough, Liwanag signals Sinag to charge through, hoping to slip past before the undead soldiers can notice them. "Alright, Sinag. One quick sprint and we’re through."
They manage to slip through unnoticed, however, the strain of the maneuver leaves Liwanag and his mount visibly fatigued.
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Seebonickk and Dream Root manage to get past the undead party. Liwanag runs around the patrol but the run was more taxing than he thought and he comes out huffing and puffing from the effort. Wyrmbarrel does his best and rather easily gets by.
Moving closer to Goldenflame, you come upon a roadblock. Heavy, prickly undergrowth and tall grasses have grown over the road.
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Wordlessly, Dream Root offers his waterskin to Liwang.
He snarls at the prickles and thorny growths in their way. "I do not wish to add to the hours I've already spent in this life plucking stickers, burrs, and other irritating seed pods from my fur," he explains, giving the plants a vicious glare. Dropping to all fours, he begins looking for game trails, sniffing for sign, and other searching for other indications of how the local fauna traverse the natural roadblock.
He cocks his head at Blackfeather's actions. "What, uh, what are you doing?"
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Liwanag humbly accepts the waterskin from Dreamroot. “Your mercy will not be wasted".
Spotting the thorny obstacle ahead, he knows Sinag can pass through with ease. "It’s your time to shine, my partner", he whispers to his mount.
Keeping in mind the direction provided by Wyrmbarrel, he guides the young horse, and together they nimbly weave around the hazard.
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Liwanag and Sinag make it through the bushes easily. Aalpo'ol uses his dagger and cuts a wide swath through the thorn bushes. Meanwhile, Dream Root easily hurdles the thorn bushes.
You make excellent time and the obstacles don't slow you down. Goldenflame comes into view as you follow the gently descending path into town.