Where does the adventure take place?
The adventure begins at the Grand Lodge in Absalom but quickly moves to Highdelve which is a settlement built by House Garess in the Golushkin Mountains in Western Brevoy.
Brevoy is a nation in far northeastern Avistan on the verge of tearing itself apart. The political entity known as Brevoy was once two vastly different nations locked in a constant state of war before being conquered by a foreign despot: Choral the Conqueror. After centuries under the rule of Choral and his descendants, they suddenly all disappeared, and Brevoy must now decide its own destiny.
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Adventure Background
You are all part of the Pathfinder Society and because of reasons in your individual recent past you have received a field commission to conduct missions of behalf of the Venture-Captains of the Society.
The Pathfinder Society is a globe-spanning organization based out of Absalom, the City at the Center of the World. The membership consists primarily of Pathfinders, adventurers who travel throughout Golarion—usually inconspicuously—and explore, delve, and otherwise experience the lesser-seen parts of the world.
They send journals documenting their travels back to their venture-captains, who also assigns them new missions and suggests new places to explore. The most exciting and illuminating of these journals are compiled in the Pathfinder Chronicles, an ongoing series of books that collect the history and mystery of Golarion for its membership and the general public.
The Pathfinder Society generally takes a hands-off approach with its agents, leaving them to pursue their own leads, and chose their own priorities. Pathfinders are only expected to explore the mysteries of the multiverse, report what they find, and cooperate with one another in order to assure the success of the first two duties. Pathfinders are expected to report their findings to their venture-captains, who collect and review these records, and pass on the best to be published in the Pathfinder Chronicles.
So you are expected to EXPLORE, COOPERATE and REPORT!
~ ~ ~
The door opens and you see the renowned Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng enter the meeting room.
He looks as if he did not have much sleep as he has a sleepy-eyed look on his face.
He has a violin and a meerschaum pipe in his hand and sets it on the table. He withdraws a small pouch from the slipper and opening it, removes some shag tobacco. He begins to pack the pipe with the tobacco before removing a hot poker from a fireplace in the room, touching it to the pipe bowl, and drawing on the pipe until the contents kindle an ember.
He stands eyeing the assembled group and puffing on the pipe for a long few moments before speaking.
"Well, well, so you are the team they sent here for this mission?! I heard that you all received a field commission recently. You look tough but are you the right people for this mission ... and is this your first mission? You already heard that we are sending you to Highdelve, right?" he says with a stern look.
"First missions are usually less dangerous but our informant's reasons to ask for a team as well as the nature of the assignment were a little vague ..."
He eyes you again.
"I called you in tonight to discuss a problem I need you to solve." he says as clouds of pipe smoke drift lazily around his head.
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Gideon is newly commissioned but eager and confident, maybe too much so. His posture speaks to his confidence. Choosing to use a fauchard as a primary weapon he leans on it easily having chosen a corner opposite the door. His half elven heritage is only evident in his sharp pointed ears. Otherwise, he has a strong squared chin, and a broad build very unlike most elves. He wears a blue tabard with a silver star over his scale mail armor.
Well, do let appearences deceive you, sir Venture-Captain, says a tall half-orc in scale mail and with a heavy mace hanging from his belt.
You will not find anyone more suitable and more excited about the mission than us. Specially, if wielding a weapon is necessary.
He brings his right hand to his mace before saying.
Killiuk from Egede, at your service.
A woman with long blond hair slips into the room, a quiver of arrows and a longbow strapped to her back. She stands slightly apart from the others, keeping the wall to her back.
She nods in acknowledgement when they start self-introductions. "My name is Brialla, from Port Ice. Highdelve is not far from my home town." With nothing further to add she falls silent and waits to hear more about this problem they are to solve.
“Great to have you all gathered together for the mission!“ Dreng says.
"Well, more than two centuries ago, the humans of House Garess flourished in the foothills of the Golushkin Mountains in western Brevoy, where they founded Highdelve as a settlement of human artisans to work the dwarven ore their allies supplied. However, as the years went on, House Garess’s numbers waned, and the noble family scaled its business back. By this time, thousands inhabited Highdelve."
He looks at you to see if you are still listening.
"Rather than languish under House Garess’s neglect, the Highdelvers began to focus on self-sufficiency. It built a robust economy and 50 years ago, the leaders of highdelve approached the patriarch of House Garess in Grayhaven roughly 20 miles south. It wasn’t full independence Highdelve wanted as much as a release from any major taxes and military duties the town might owe its feudal overlords. Not in the position to fight the Highdelvers, House Garess acquiesced. From that day, Highdelve has been independent in everything but the strictest formalities."
He pauses for a moment.
"Have you ever heard of Aurelliax?" he asks.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Being so far north, winters are long and harsh. The short spring and summer seasons require the populace to farm and fish just enough to keep food on the table.
* * * Separate check * * *
You have heard the stories of Highdelve's history in more detail ... what the Highdelvers didn’t know, however, is that benevolent eyes had been watching the situation that the Venture-Captain described unfold.
The settlement piqued the interest of Aurelliax, a gold dragon who had lived for more than a century in a mountaintop lair near Highdelve.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The dragon admired the town’s tenacity, and its people’s generosity toward their neighbors warmed her kind heart. Shortly after Highdelve broke from House Garess, Aurelliax offered the humans her patronage and protection for free.
Elated and humbled, the townspeople accepted—provided that Aurelliax never involved herself in the settlement’s internal affairs. After all, the Highdelvers did not wish to simply trade one overlord for another. Her motivations genuine and pure, Aurelliax assented.
For the Highdelvers’ part, awe for Aurelliax quickly turned into true affection, as the dragon time and again has demonstrated her dedication to this settlement of about 4,500.
Aure...?
"I'm afraid not."
Dreng raises an eyebrow.
"Aurelliax is a gold dragon who had lived for more than a century in a mountain top lair near Highdelve and the dragon time and again has demonstrated her dedication to this settlement of about 4,500."
He pauses again.
"I do not want to go into the details of why a gold dragon would do that but I can assure you that we had a hand in that story. This was just background information because your mission actually concerns two kids. Well, they are young adults by now. RICHELLE AND TOLWIN are their names. They are not related but they are the kids of two deceased Pathfinders. We placed them under the protection of the mayor of Highdelve 17 summers ago - Winette Qarl is her name."
The Venture-Captain sighs and looks at his feet.
"We received a message that they are misbehaving. I have to admit that this mission is personal for me and I want you to check on them. They know nothing about their parents' history but if you can find out what is going on I would appreciate that."
He looks back into your eyes again and smokes his pipe, sending smoke into the air.
"Of course we would never send you to Highdelve just because of two kids ... this is just a coincidence that I am using to my own benefit." he laughs.
"During one of our other missions we learned of a plot against Aurelliax. We do not know the details but we know that an agent of a cult of Kostchtchie, Gilda Korgren, traveled to Highdelve more than a year ago to craft a ring with special significance to the cult of Kostchtchie ... additionally, we learned about a Port Ice–based shipping company that is trying to track cargo that went missing between the port and Silverhall in southern Brevoy. We do know that the cargo included several Thassilonian relics that could also be of value to the Kostchtchie worshiper."
Born a mortal man of Ulfen stock before being cursed, Kostchtchie is now the demon lord of giants and biting cold.
Kostchtchie's main worshipers are giants who have turned from the worship of their traditional deities, particularly Thremyr, and instead embraced the demonic as being a more aggressive philosophy.
"So the mission is to check on the two young people, and look for a plot related to the cult of Kostchtchie. It is good to know that the dragon is on our side."
Brialla thinks for a moment. "Do we know anything else about this Gilda Korgren? Are we expecting that agent to be in the city when we are?"
So, we go to Highdelve, check on the children, and investigate on the missing cargo, which might be related to something bigger. Did I get it right?
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“That sounds just about right, although we haven’t been given instructions for what to do about the misbehavior. Misbehaving children, even human children, don’t represent a problem that the Pathfinder Society should specifically concern itself with as long as the misbehavior isn’t criminal.”
The slender young half-elf stepped forward, it seemed as though from nowhere. His look struck chords of both mirth and melancholy, as though he struggled with both joy and sorrow. Something about childhood was important to this man.
“Your Lordship is there something specific that we should communicate to the youngsters regarding their behavior? I probably have more experience with demons than parenting but with the wisdom of The Wise, I can usually my point across.”
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"We have several artists in the society. Do we by chance have pictures of these two wayward teens or, more importantly, of Gilda Korgren? It's not like she would introduce herself but if she is there it would be good to be able to identify her. Also, what symbols does the cult of Kostchtchie wear or tattoo on themselves? I'd like to be able to identify cultists if possible. Always preferable to know who you're sticking."
"To be honest we know very little about Gilda Korgren. She is a human follower of a demonic god ... and we know that she has a son from a letter we were able to dispatch. But nothing else." he says.
“And we have no pictures. You have to find out more when you’re there. And say whatever makes sense. You’re pathfinders now … find your path. And Kostchtchie's holy … or rather, unholy symbol is an ice-caked, rune-carved warhammer. The warhammer is his favored weapon and is described as being rimed with bloody ice in some sources. His followers often use this symbol in their worship of the Demon Prince of Wrath!“
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He looks at the whole group and tries to assess your level of comfort with this mission and continues.
"You’ll receive a map. This is one of your first missions so be careful. Please make haste and travel to Highdelve."
With those words he turns his attention away from you, picks his violin up, opens the door and begins playing and walking out of the room simultaneously.
**
HIGHDELVE
It’s late when your caravan arrives in Highdelve.
Most of the travelers are only stopping for dinner before proceeding on to the next town, but you have a mission here, and so you remain when the wagons pull out again.
When you get to the inn you find it unusually crowded. The innkeeper only has one room available, what with the festival tomorrow.
If you’re willing to share, however, she has some cots she can set up and there should be room enough for the four of you. As you walk down into the common room for dinner, you find it, too, is more crowded than you would expect.
A four-top comes open right as you walk in, though, and almost as soon as you sit the waiter comes by with bowls of stew and mugs of ale for the four of you. You eat and have a chance to get to know your new comrades on this mission.
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Gideon's not much of a small talker. He answers questions when asked. What he did before - learning to be a carpenter but it wasn't for him. Why he joined the society - the call to adventure. How he came into his skills, limited as they are, - he picked up with a mercenary troop moving through his town. He was well muscled and athletic so the group took him on. Over the next year and a half he learned what they had to teach.
"If anyone of you is good at working the crowd you may try to find out where our brats are and what is known of the Kotchy cult."
During the first evening and your first hour on the jubilee you learn that the Brightbloom Jubilee is a 2-day party with a distinct structure of events.
Before the jubilee, the town elects two young locals to serve as Bloomgivers — an enormous honor for those chosen. Early on the celebration’s first day, the Bloomgivers venture with an empty wagon up nearby Dendra’s Slope, where the largest field of brightblooms grows.
The jubilee then runs throughout the day, and it includes a full slate of amusements, games, and festive street food, all set up in the town’s main Protectress Square.
In the afternoon, the Bloomgivers return to town with the first harvest of brightblooms, and the townspeople fete the youths’ journey by escorting them from the gates back to Protectress Square.
There, the Bloomgivers hand out brightblooms to eager townspeople. The rest of the evening is spent as a public dance party known as the Brightbloom Ball. The jubilee’s second day is spent alternately removing winterizing measures from the town’s buildings and breaking into spontaneous rounds of song and dance.
Kiliuk has a fiery temper, but he's also a steadfast friend with
much to offer, including a lovely baritone singing voice, which surprises to all those that just see in him "another half-orc". He seems to be quite eager to arrive in Highdelve.
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The mood is festive in the inn as the evening progresses. Eventually, weary from your travel, you head to bed.
~
The sun rises, and after a quiet breakfast, you emerge out into the town square. Beams of sunlight stream past the snow-capped mountains as a joyous scene spreads before you.
Overnight, the town's staid and utilitarian main square sprouted colorful tents, a pop-up theater, a spinning contraption made of barrel bottoms, some manner of race course, and more unexpected delights.
Laughter and boisterous shouts echo from all the square's corners as its quaint cobblestone streets teem with villagers sporting festive clothes and wide smiles.
—
Throughout it all, the smell of fried foods weaves through air laced with the warmth of a summer that's just begun.
Activities in view:
A1. Youths stand on and around tall wooden storage boxes, playing some sort of game.
A2. Lanes have been drawn and sack races are being run.
A3. A large, gilt statue of a dragon.
A4. A Barrel-Go-Round ride has been erected.
A5. A small puppet theater has gathered a crowd.
A6. A stand sells delicious-smelling fried food on sticks.
+++++++++++++++++++
Several well-dressed professionals stand in a circle bandying about the lingo of seasoned traders. “What a time to be visiting!” one shouts.
“It’s the best time to catch important people in one place. If you’ve any business to conduct in Highdelve, now’s the time for it, to be sure!”
A teenage boy pushes through the crowd with a star-struck look on his face.
“Have you seen her? Have you seen Aurelliax? You know, the gold dragon! The one who keeps the whole town safe! She’s here, but she never stays in one place for long. Everyone wants to talk to her, and she’s so nice—she wants to spend time with us all!”
* * *
For the past decade or so, the people of Highdelve have expressed some concern about sending their youthful Bloomgivers up Dendra’s Slope to collect brightblooms for several hours alone.
The brightbloom field is about an hour’s hike from the town proper, and the foothills are full of threats.
To quell their qualms, and to reinforce that Aurelliax would never suffer an outside threat to the town, the gold dragon has begun lending the Bloomgivers a special amulet called the Golden Pendant each year for their journey up the slope.
Not even the gold dragon has elaborated on exactly what the amulet can do, and she’s instructed the townspeople not to bother examining it much magically, but everyone knows that it’s a treasure that would make Abadar himself proud.
Two elderly women watch a group of adolescents giggle and shoot furtive glances toward the square’s western entrance.
“It warms this old granny’s heart to see those sweet kids,” one of the women says. “So young! So much energy! They just can’t wait for the Bloomgivers to come back from Dendra’s Slope so they can celebrate. But I wonder what’s keeping those Bloomgivers? They’ve usually returned by now!”
Weren't we told something about a famous dragon? I would like to go to see what that dragon statue is.
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After standing for a bit and enjoying the show he picks up on some of the local gossip. Sharing the concern about the tardiness of the bloomgivers, he strides back into the busyle to find his fellows. Once he finds one or two he shares the concern, ”I overheard some of the locals wondering what’s taking yhe flower kids so long. With the kotchy group about I was thinking we should walk out that way and make sure they are not causing any mischief.
Probably it is a good idea. Although I still feel curious about that dragon statue...
[dice=Knowledge (local)] 1d20+1
Weren't we told something about a famous dragon? I would like to go to see what that dragon statue is.
A3. Our Gilded Lady
When you arrive at the statue, you can take in it's majesty up close.
Fully 10 feet high and twice as long, the centerpiece of the square is a gilt statue of a gold dragon with outstretched wings. A plaque at the base reads: "Highdelve dedicates this statue and all of Protectress Square to Aurelliax, Our Gilded Lady. Long may her golden wings envelop us, and may we never fail her when she calls."
* *
Standing next to the statue watching a group of children play is a cheerful-looking woman with white hair and ruddy cheeks.
You see that a female dwarf approaches the woman and after greeting each other they start chatting.
As you are perceptive, you overhear parts of the conversation.
”Well ... but Richelle and Tolwin cheated!" the white haired woman says silently.
You cannot hear the dwarf's response but you see the the woman reacts harshly and says a little louder than she she should.
"You know that they rigged the bloomgivers election and therefore are not allowed to attend the festival. This discussion is over!"
The female dwarf looks disappointed and retreats in the direction of the sack race.
Killiuk does not pay much attention to the two people chatting and admires the statue.
Fighting a dragon this big... That must be quite a thing!
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"It sounds like our twins have gotten themselves in trouble again. Apparently, we won't be seeing them out here as they cheated to try and be chosen as the bloomgivers. This gives me even more reason to go check on the bloomgivers. Our two troublemakers may have sabotaged the wagon or done something else that has caused more trouble than intended. Let's walk out the gate and up where the bloomgivers should be coming from and make sure nothing is amiss." Gideon says and begins striding toward the gate. A little glimmer of worry starting to nag at his gut.
Fantastic. And here I was hoping to enjoy the celebration a bit... Ok. Let us go.
Killiuk is quick to admit that duty calls first.
A1. Youths on crates
On the way out of town, you pass the storage boxes.
Tall wooden storage boxes are haphazardly arranged everywhere here except for a grouping of four, which form a diamond.
Rowdy youths pump their fists and cheer on four kids who each stand atop one of these boxes. The standing youths kick a bean-filled sack back and forth.
Each time a youth kicks the sack, they all shout a word of the following phrase: "The! Devil! Man! Knocks! Don' t! Let! Him! In!"
Killiuk watches with curiousity the game.
Killiuk watches with curiousity the game.
A kid approaches Killiuk.
"Hey you, wanna play? It's fun!"
One of the kids hops down from their box and offers you a spot in the game.
Two youths are laughing, though there’s a bit of fear evident in their eyes.
“We all saw him; he had skin as pale as a sheet and these freaky little horns!” a girl says.
“He was skulking around until the watch came and scared him away. Now people pretend like he was never here—don’t want to scare away visitors, I guess. Oops!”
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A woman wearing a long, black dress, and a black veil on her face, from which two pointy ears dart on the side, suddenly speaks in a croaked voice, pointing to the Pathfinders with a slender finger
Are the men I see the men I seek? Pharasma guide my ways, but Captain Dreng has asked me to meet people in this place, to fulfill a mission.
Captain Dreng gave Neva a brief letter that explains Neva’s late arrival and gives the group the needed legitimacy to integrate her into the group of Pathfinders.
Sure. Happy to join.
Killiuk takes the spot of the kid and looks around from the box.
Neva is not really sure what this could be, but animals and devils and even some undead are supposed to have horns.
[dice=Perception DC 15]1d20+6
Sure. Happy to join.
Killiuk takes the spot of the kid and looks around from the box.
Anyone who wants to participate can make 8 acrobatics checks.
Killiuk is very excited about this game, but embarrassingly falls down after the first sack hits him.
It would not be nice to win being an outsiders... , he tries to find a "reasonable" excuse.
One of the kids competes with the half-orc.
Killiuk does not need to be that embarrassed because the kid is not that much more successful.
Some of the children look at Killiuk in a curious way.
"Hey, you look really scary! But some people are not afraid of people like you!" an older boy with blonde hair says to Killiuk.
Hey! No need to be rude! I am not scary at all... unless you come across me on a dark night at a darker alley...
Killiuk opens his mouth to show him his tusks threateningly.
Then, the half-orc laughs.
No need to worry. I would never harm you. Although I would be happy to meet those people that are not afraid of me. They must be strong warriors.
The boy steps back as he seems to be scared.
”We … we … look we didn’t do anything… Richelle and Tolwin went after that guy … we weren’t going anywhere … we didn’t do anything?!?!"
The other two kids are a little frightened when Killiuk approaches but one of them has the feeling that something needs to be done.
”I do not know if we can really talk about it because we actually have no idea but maybe Richelle and Tolwin are in trouble because of this horned guy! And Tolwin is really a bully so ...“
Aother youngster jumps in.
”Stop it! Tolwin is not a bad guy! Of course he was really talking to the Tiefling a little longer than I liked! And somehow Tolwin managed to convince Richelle to follow the guy ... but I would not worry that much! Appearances are not important! Tieflings can be kind persons too!“
Sure. Appearances are not important. So, I think that we will talk to this tielfling ourselves. What can you tell us?
Evindyll definitely makes an impression. One of the kids is a little shy, but he takes out a piece of paper from his pocket and hands it over to Evindyll.
"Look here! It is really sad. And ... and the mayor. Yes, she is ... eeehmmmm ... I think at Protectress Square where the statue is and only she can help Richelle."
Upon picking the leaflet Evindyll sees that it bears sketches of a scowling human boy and girl, each about 17, along with the following message.
“Be advised: Richelle and Tolwin, apprentices to Carth Garenth and Yarla Bowhammer, are not permitted at the jubilee. If seen, please turn them away from your events.”