For Outpost IX.
Please dot and delete.
As the group wraps up their role in the investigation in Isger among those wishing to converse with them is an aged beggar.
"Alms for the poor good sirs and madams. Alms for the poor?" he asks with his free hand extended.
The beggar clasps Jakeric's hand and presses something into it.
"Bless you for your generosity! Here is a prayer to keep you safe."
You hear a whisper in your ears, "Make sure you read it."
Once you smooth out the parchment you learn it's not a prayer; it's a note!
"You have secured contracts as guards on a shipment heading north tomorrow morning. Be on the ship 'Profit's Pride' this evening.'"
You have no trouble finding the 'Profit's Pride' moored at one of the docks along the Conerica River. The crew point to the holds below deck and, once there, you're directed into an office.
Seated is a familiar face – Venture Captain Beaurigmand Trice!
"I hear congratulations are in order. Since you've done so well here there's another opportunity that awaits. How do you feel about traveling to an ancient and mysterious land far, far away? And since Lucinus felt the need to rage somewhere else I brought along a replacement. Please introduce yourself to the others."
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Cannoli is about to offer the bum a job, when Jake jumps in and deals with him. She shrugs, plenty of other people need work these days.
A little confused why they are on a boat now, it finally clicks.
”Ooooh! The beggar passed a note! It was a mission!”
Cannoli’s tiger stripe pattern and coloration are starkly contrasted with the leather and metal studded outfit she wears. Decorative or functional, it’s hard to say. A perfectly fitted breastplate and matte black buckler form most of her armor. Her weapons include a blackened morningstar and silvered dagger. The final striking accoutrement is a pair of tall black boots accented with shiny onyx stones, leaving just enough space between them and her leather skirt to show the same fur pattern covers her entire body.
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The elegantly attired newcomer is equipped in a fine quality breastplate and carries a spear .
"Ah, splendid! It's a pleasure to meet you all." he exclaims in an aristocratic Taldane accent. "I'm Silvanus and this..." he adds, pointing towards a burly chimpanzee wearing ulfen-style adventuring gear plus a clearly fake (but very bushy) beard "...is Ivarsson, my valet and bodyguard.".
"Hopefully we can be of use."
"I'm more of a talker, while Ivarsson tends to get involved when violence is called for."
VC Trice looks at Olaf and grins at Grizzlebin, "Don't worry I think you're still the toughest companion."
Grizzlebin quickly corrects Trice: "I ain't no companion--the kid follows me around." Jakeric looks embarassed, until Grizzlebin adds "But who can blame him? I'm from a higher realm, ya know!"
Grizzlebin quickly corrects Trice: "I ain't no companion--the kid follows me around." Jakeric looks embarassed, until Grizzlebin adds "But who can blame him? I'm from a higher realm, ya know!"
VC Trice chuckles, "Oooh that's the case? Then I change my mind; Olaf would make a monkey out of Jakeric."
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Cannoli offers a hand to Silvanus and Olaf, ”Pleased to meet you two. Apparently they took my suggestion to keep our team of pathfinders as good looking as possible, you two will fit right in. I also appreciate the inclusion of those with fur to the group, we are few and far between.”
She turns to the VC with a saccharine smile, ”So, where are we off too?”
In his best carnival barker voice (so good in fact one wonders if he's been one!) VC Trice says, "You've been selected for a mission to an exotic and exclusive location: The Wall of Heaven in Tian Xia! We'll sail up the scenic Conerica River into Druma where you'll be treated to an all expenses paid use of translocation magics to mysterious Goka! There you'll meet with another Venture Captain who will give you your mission briefing. This is anyone's last chance to bail!"
"We set sail immediately and Silvanus is correct, Tien is the 'common' language of Tian Xia. There are many other languages spoken as well."
The journey upriver goes smoothly with only the daily work on a ship to pass the time. Your group was 'hired' to work on the ship after all.
Although VC Trice doesn't seem to join in the physical labor...interesting how that works!
The crew seems split on who spooks them more: Grizzlebin, Guardian XI, or Olaf.
With Olaf and his 'beard' somehow winning the vote.
After switching to caravans at the end of the Conerica River the group travels to the town of Macridi in Druma. Although not a large town its secluded location means organizations like the Pathfinder Society can operate with ease.
VC Trice sighs, "This is the end of our journeys together - for now. Make me proud!"
Some Society mages begin casting spells and within moments you all appear in a very different room.
The mages tell you, "Head out and introduce yourselves."
Although his lesser, mortal partner remains behind shyly, Grizzlebin nonchalantly heads out.
"Hey." he says to the reception committee with a nod by way of greeting.
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Cannoli appears on the back end of the teleport and immediately looks at Jakeric funny. A real odd look on her face that quickly resolves itself into projectile vomit onto his shoes.
The sound of the copious amounts of liquid and chunks hitting the floor is almost as disgusting as the odor that follows.
She tries to cover her mouth, ”Oh god there’s m…”
Blarch!
In a slightly better position now, the vomit goes mostly down, just barely avoiding her new boots.
She stands there, breathlessly heaving.
Well that answers the curse question…
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Daegon looks positively disgusted as annoli empties her stomach onto the ground.
A bit of warning would have been nice... he says as he tries to avoid the growing puddle of spew.
Not the nicest of greetings..oh well...hello there, I am Daegon...excuse my friend here..she apparently has an ailment of some kind... he says to the gathered group.
Muttering wizards assist Silvanus in cleaning up Cannoli's unfortunate explosion(s). You think you hear one of them mention "Hairball?" as they study it...
Once the group is cleaned, sanitized, and deodorized they exit the room into a hall where they are met by a Tian man who escorts them into a large room where a woman is seated on a cushion on the floor.
"Greetings fellow Pathfinders. I am Venture Captain Amara Li of the Lantern Lodge in Goka. Please introduce yourselves over some tea."
She sets about an elaborate ceremony making tea while you do so.
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Cannoli jumps back as the spectral mops and buckets appear everywhere sweeping up her stomach contents. Her eyes go wide as the mess disappears, ”Uh, thank you. I… thank you.”
She follows the group and stays in the back, declining all food or drink.
The catfolk conjures a little stream of water into a small cup and sips it slowly before speaking, ”I am Cannoli Jones. I have some command over magical healing and combat spells. Most of this group has been together for a while, too. So we have a good flow.”
Amara Li smiles at Daegon, "Just the usual one would expect: be polite, restrain violent tendencies, no criminal activities. Slavery is legal in parts of the continent. One thing to keep in mind about Goka: Gambling is intertwined with almost every aspect of life. Be careful when gambling because you can lose much more than coin. Tournaments are important as well including the Ruby Phoenix Tournament."
"Grizzlebin, from up there," says the agathion, pointing his finger vaguely toward the sky. Of course, Nirvana isn't literally above Golarion, but mortals get these concepts confused easily. "And this here's Jakeric. Don't mind him. He gets more or less catatonic near spew. Ha, you shoulda seen him when we fought a regurgitator demon in the Worldwound one time!"
As tea is prepared and served she says, "The Pathfinder Society has turned its attention to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament—a world-renowned fighting competition, held once every ten years in the city of Goka on the eastern continent of Tian Xia. More specifically, the Decemvirate is interested in the incredible prizes available to the tournament’s winner—a choice of treasure from the legendary vaults of Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix herself. As part of the preparations for the tournament, Pathfinder Society agents have been deployed across the Inner Sea and beyond to seek out forgotten lore, allies, and magical items to be used by the Society’s tournament representatives."
Sipping her tea she continues, "I have uncovered information about one such item hidden amid the reaches of the Wall of Heaven—an Iroran relic known as the Braid of a Hundred Masters. I have learned of the ancient home of the braid: The Clouded Path Monestary high in the mountain range. I have hired two local guides, Xue Ho and Hai Xuan, to guide your expedition. Are you willing to undertake this task?"
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Vreekka introduces herself right after tea was offered: "I am Vreekka, Alchemist extraordinaire. I have quite a variety of formulae in my book, throw bombs, speak 13 languages, know a lot about pretty much anything and can also craft about any alchemical item. A cup of tea would be lovely, thanks."
The elf thinks for a few seconds, then tells the others what she knows about the Wall of Heaven and the Clouded Path Monastery.
"A relic? That sounds interesting. I'm in!"
Daegon tries to find out anything from the locals.
Jakeric's knowledge of geography is lacking in this case; he knows mountains are big. Perhaps he's distracted by Cannoli's targeting his boots or that large bearded chimp giving him the hairy eyeball!
Vreekka's vast knowledge assists the Pathfinders in this endeavor.
She knows the following:
The Wall of Heaven—the tallest and longest mountain range on Golarion—creates a formidable barrier, separating Tian Xia from the west, save for a natural gap located near the city of Goka.
The Clouded Path Monastery stands a strong day’s climb above a base camp halfway up its mountain. While below the permafrost of its particular mountain’s peak, the monastery is known for its thin air and cold nights.
The Clouded Path Monastery is a truly old monastery, dedicated to the Iroran faith, and one of many such lamaseries spread throughout the isolated slopes of the Wall of Heaven. Some maintain that the monastery’s founder in fact knew Irori during the god’s mortal life.