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Zodrathel takes a slow, calming breath. "Well, comrade, we are short on time so I will be blunt. We are gathering ingredients for a ritual which will allow us to better defend our home from demonic influence, a subject we know is as important to you as it is to us, given your history as a Mendevian crusader and your present role as a Pathfinder. We're working to combat the emotion and pain which drive Hesla by channeling the emotion of the things Hesla cared about before she was pulled into this demonic foolishness. To that end, we need the tears of a crusader. We need you." Pausing for a moment to let that sink in, he continues, "I want you to think about everything you've lost, everyone you've lost. Every soul ever lost to a demonic pact or fiendish attack. But more than that, think of every soul you've saved, and every soul we can still save, and every soul they will go on to save. I need you to channel all of that emotion, that hope and sorrow and love and pain and take all of it and let it flow out of you and into this vial."
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Jorsal nods and recounts the moment a Pathfinder agent brought word to the lodge in Sarkoris of Hesla's actions near the city of Iz. As they recounted the battle, they also told those gathered that the Pathfinders had found Ingalor's skeletal remains in Hesla Embersplitter's home, and there was strong reason to believe that would be where she would return to take her last stand. Before he could even think twice, he had put one of the senior agents of the lodge temporarily in change and took off for Absalom.
As he starts to cry, he continues, "I thought this was done when the Scar formed, and yet now we are seeing that which is dead come back to life. Since I fought for years driving back those demons, I felt I may be of more use here than there." As the silent tears start to flow his cheeks, he asks for the bottle and fills it to the top.
As he wipes his eyes and regains his composure, he asks you, "Is there anything else you need from me?"
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"Agreed, given time is limited we continue on to the next closest location each time, minimizing doubling back. Zod consults the maps and points out the path that seems most straightforward. "Fairgrounds next, then the Museum, Ascendant Court, and finally Eastgate. Then we hurry back to the Lodge and put all the pieces together."
He glances over at Zabu, and smiles. "Don't worry, friend. I'm sure you'll get more than your share of action before this is all finished. When was the last time a group of Pathfinders walked across Absalom without getting in a fight?"
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Upon reaching the fairgrounds where the carnival was held, it appears that all evidence of the event has been removed. Instead of the bright banners and booths, now the official pageantry of Absalom hangs around a constructed arena. A sign near the entrance reads "Annual Absalom Horsemanship Exhibition. Come see some of the greatest teams in dressage and jumping, and the fastest team for the grand finale, The Starstone Steeplechase."
The fairgrounds are not locked, so you can easily enter to search the area. The only other person seemingly there is a horse trainer walking a horse on a long lead around the grounds.
"Well met. I am Dara Meira. How may I help you?"
Success:
Failure:
You dig out the posters but you end up being quite fragrant.
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After talking to Dara, Zod finds some posters from the carnival. Taking them, he takes his leave of Dara and leads the party to the Blakros Museum.
The buffed redwood of the open museum doors forms an imposing contrast to the bright and welcoming lobby. The current main exhibit, which takes up the entirety of the first floor, is The Art of Absalom: Celebrating the Artisans at the Center of the World. A dark-haired woman carefully adjusts some of the pieces on the far-left wall, her cheeks covered in paint splotches.
"Well met. I am Dhrami Blakros. How may I help you today?"
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"Sup Dhrami." Manny has a quick bow. "Sorry I missed the carnival. You know how it is. Concert got everyone riled up, had to set up, had to practice, had to party, had to after party, had to after after party, then sleep I guess..."
"Anyway! We're on official Pathfinder Society duty. We need some ingredients to perform a ritual to help defend the town against attack. Do you have an artifact or some debris from Helsa's Gilded Carnival?"
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"You know, I usually hate museums, but not this one. There's always some exhibit coming to life or sucking you into a pocket dimension or transforming you into a primal version of yourself. Not really boring at all," Zabu says.
He wanders around hopefully, expecting something to jump out to try to kill him at any moment.
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After trying to engage her in small talk, it’s obvious she is a lady who enjoys a more direct approach, a women after Bore-Axx’s own heart, too bad she has a thing for boorish elves.
My Good Madam, we are in a bit of a rush. A demon is about to be summoned that might crush all of our precious Absalom. We are in need of a Sarkorian artifact, possibly aligned with Alglenweiss in order to circumvent the destruction of everything we hold dear. “
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Drahmi looks perplexed at Bore-axx's request. "I'm afraid I do not know of such an item, and unfortunately my husband, Nigel Aldain, the curator is currently on a trip to in the Shackles, trying to acquire some unique local artifacts for an upcoming exhibit. Perhaps if you describe them, I can locate them for you?"
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"That's Nigel, always busy..." Manny thinks to himself. "But if you think about it, the bracelets need to maintain power, be a focus and of course look incredible."
Using his Rainment runes, Manny changes his guise a few times to project a variety of different bracelets. "Maybe this? Or this? Possibly this. Oo, this one looks great..."
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Bore-Axx initially gives Gronk an annoyed, but then sympathetic look.
“Well I believe it would have finely crafted wood beads that had carefully laid cut garnets lined with intricate copper patterns.”
(And as of now, I’m headed off to Origins (a major convention in the States) and might be slow to post until Monday 6/22 but I’ll try to check and post as often as possible.)
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Based on your descriptions, Dharmi hunts for the bracelet but can't seem to find the one you need. She manages to locate a God Caller bracelet related to an unknown Sarkorian god. "I apologize. This is the best I could come up with. However, I have something that you can use. I hope you can use them to cut Hesla down to size."
She hands you a small pouch containing a pair of oil of keen edges.
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You come upon a store, Divine Curiosities, which still has an open sign hanging on the door. As you enter, a tired-looking halfling greets you. "Well met. I am Seloana Norzu. What brings you to my shop on such an auspicious day? What can I do for you?"
She looks curiously at Manny. "Does the sign still say Sammy's Silly Sacrilege? That was the name my former partner gave my store."
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Zabu looks at the Starstone Spire, thoughtfully, clearly contemplating his chances and more confident about them than he should be.
"What's up? Why is business so bad? Why are there so man lootable...I mean closed shops around here?" he questions Seloana as Manny takes the boring solution to their problem.
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"Well, now you're just being rude," Zabu says, slipping his demonic cat mask on before approaching the woman.
He grabs the end of the broom just above the bristles and simply holds it with one hand despite all her struggles.
"Why don't you give us what we're looking for before I take this broom, break it in half and..." the suggestion that follows is made all the more fearsome and unsettling due to the steady, cold way Zabu delivers the threat.
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Seeing his allies taking an aggressive stance, Zodrathel tries to calm things down. "Please, Seloana, I assure you that any anger you are sensing from my companions is only a result of the importance of our task. We are no friend to these cultists. We simply need a symbol of Deskari as part of a ritual to prevent his cult from hurting innocent people. We are Pathfinders trying to stop a tragedy. Please, we need your help and time is of the essence."
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Seloana calms down slightly as you convince her that you're Pathfinders. She agrees to sell one to you for 900 gp. Once you have the goods and she has the money, she hurries you out the door and slams it behind you. You hear three clicks as she locks it...
You easily find Eastgate using the map Zarta gave you.