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It had been a long hike down.
Rugged and round, a wizened(-looking) old tengu arrives at the foot of the Maze. As he speaks, long "bearded" feathers trail his beak, wriggling in his gruff pronunciation of the words "There remains a disturbance" ominous, he cocks one eyebrow - also of elongated but thin plumage - and feels the stone of the menhirs with his hand, proclaiming a judgement of it's craftmanship mentally, before continuing "The hiddenmost places of this planet touch the winding flow of this magical structure" he seems concerned for those in the room with him, and stands beside his fellow pathfinders - between the warriors and the many witches - nodding in unison as they too speak of mind.
A long, finely maintained, shining zhanmadao draped 45 degrees across his back.
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The athamaru twirls, balanced on its dancer’s spear, its loosely-robed scales scintillating on the sunlit lawn. An adventure to the famous Maze, and all of the languages that may be encountered therein and beyond was too good to ignore. But the tengu’s words were ominous. ”Perhaps we should beseech our gods before we begin? It can’t hurt to begin a maze in grace.” Koi’s lord Lysianassa and her world of water might have little to do with endless hedges but it still somehow sounded like the right thing to say.
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Repressing a scoff, Old Crow mentally muses that "the gods" have no true power worthy of worship nor even mere deference. He turns to the athamaru, noticing his spear before looking into his eyes with discernment, and offers wisdom "Grace, yes, for the time for treading lightly - a spring brook through a well worn dirt path rediscovering it's bubbling once again - may well be upon us" he pauses to reflect upon those words, and discovers a possible divergence which he brings to light "Or perhaps we, like this Maze, fork into multiple directions instead, finding ourselves within the choosing of where to go from here?"
Avoiding the topic of names - if indeed our feathered hero even has a proper one! - he allows himself to be addressed as the speaker may, neither correcting nor responding in any way, merely a vessel for a consciousness interfacing with the messy realm of bodies and rocks. And otherwise remaining silent less the subject of conversation remains upon the task at hand.
Innate Spellcasting
Primal Cantrip (□) @ Vitality Lash
Animist Spellcasting
Prepared Cantrips (□□) @ Guidance, Shield
Prepared First Rank (□□) @ Blessing of Vigor, Malediction
Prepared Second Rank (□□) @ Heal, Spiritual Armament
Ω Apparition Spellcasting Ω
Spontaneous Cantrips (□□) @ Rousing Splash plus one
Spontaneous First Rank (□) @ Hydraulic Push plus one
Spontaneous Second Rank (□) @ Mist plus one
Focus (□□) @ River Carving Mountains plus one
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A lithe elf, clad in wilderness vestments, with a bulging pack joins the party. He appears both wizened, but also fresh-faced. "Hail fellow, Pathfinders!" he says with a jovial smile.
His battle axe and frying pan seem to clang against one another as he moves, but his footsteps seem deft enough. He will take an over-the-top bow before Koi and Old Crow. "It appears that I am third to arrive. It is a shame that potential customers must wait for the fire."
He drops his pack, squats down and starts to build a small campfire with freshly hewn wood, setting up his ingredients. "Any particular preferences? I am still a layperson in the art of magical cooking, but any mundane dish shall transcend mundanity once it touches my frying pan."
With a quick cast of Ignition, the fire starts to roar. "You both seem very experienced in the realm of Pathfinding. Please accept my food as thanks for the care that you will show me. My name is Sylvar." he offers as he starts to add the base ingredients to his dish.
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A tall (six and a half feet) and muscular Elven woman walks up. She wears studded leather armor and is festooned with various weapons. Her long brown hair is braided down her back. Her skin is tanned, almost matching the brown of some of the local trees. Her eyes are a green one might see on a leaf. She moves lithely with a certain amount of grace.
She also carries a haunch of what looks like it may have once been part a deer.
"Ah. Thought I smelled a fire. I bring food to share. Greetings all. My name is Sindrailla."
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The athamaru oohs at Sylvar's precision preparations. "Hi Sylvar! I'm Koi Polloi, linguist, and budding emissary of East Xidao. Can you make bloodworms? I've never tried them cooked. But I imagine they would be lovely skilleted."
Koi turns to the hefty elf. "Hello dear! Indeed, both of you." Turning back to the ominous philosopher, the athamaru's eye is drawn to the very long sword on his back. Koi spreads its arms very wide at forty-five degrees, imitating the sword, and observes, "Could the deer be well-done? I'm guessing our friend doesn't take short cuts."
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Sylvar nods to Sindrailla. "Greetings, sister!" he says jovially and sees the haunch of venison. "Ah, you remember the honor of the forest: 'Bring the bounty to those you meet for the first time."
He sizzles some cinderberries in his skillet as he adds a small amount of cooking wine. "Perhaps a few thin slices dressed with these delightfully spicy berries for each bite..."
As Koi comes forward with the bloodworms, Sylvar's eyes brighten! "Something new! Of course we can do something with these great ingredients." Sylvar takes a bloodworm raw and munches down on it. "Ooo... surprisingly crunchy!"
Looking up from the bloodworms, Sylvar comments directly to Koi now. "Fantastic to meet you! I shall remember you forever for introducing me to these tiny delights."
He adds a smaller skillet to the fires. Once it is appropriately heated, he will add the bloodworms and knob of butter. Some diced herbs follow. Sizzle, sizzle.
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A kobold with brassy scales is shown into the meeting room.
"Well met! I am Huang Tong Dragonkin, descended from the mighty Rhaegal Dragonkin, defender of Jadirahx and the Bane of Urxehl! My uncle is the great warpriest of Abadar, Jinlong Dragonkin! You are fortunate to have me as a protector for this mission!"
He spies a face in the crowd and moves towards Koi with a purpose. "Koi Polloi, I take it?" he asks.
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The athamaru’s humor flies over our heroes head, himself being a single-meaning sort of speaker. Too, with a simple monk’s diet, the talk of tantalizing foods serves only disinterest. A body is merely a vessel, after all. He finds himself feeling stranger and stranger as the rest of his team makes conversational bonds, and embraces the spirit of that very alienation.
Animist Spellcasting
Prepared Cantrips (□□) @ Guidance, Shield
Prepared First Rank (□□) @ Blessing of Vigor, Malediction
Prepared Second Rank (□□) @ Heal, Spiritual Armament
Ω Apparition Spellcasting Ω
Spontaneous Cantrips (□□) @ Telekinetic Hand, Rousing Splash
Spontaneous First Rank (□) @ Ill Omen, Hydraulic Push
Spontaneous Second Rank (□) @ Invisibility, Create Food, Exploding Earth, Laughing Fit or Mist
Focus (□□) @ Discomforting Whispers, River Carving Mountains
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The athamaru hears its name called by a kobold resembling a Pathfinder it knew, named Mu Long. But today's kobold seemed far more confident. Koi recalled how the original Mu Long had run from shadow creatures when Koi saved him using amped psychic messages. Later Mu Long had hidden under boxes from the possible threat of a mimic. That was one scared druid.
Could this be the same wee dragon-person, now striding forward with purpose, somehow grown up? "Hello! You look familiar too."
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A 6'2" tall athletic dark-haired Taldan mane and a 5'3" tall red-haired Taldan woman approach, holding hands. A dove covered in blood red script of an unrecognizable language is flying 10 feet above the ground and to the woman's right. The redhead's form is surrounded by translucent blood-red script as well.
The woman speaks, "Hi, everyone. This is Chad, my boyfriend. I asked him to come on this adventure with me. You can call the bird Callow and I am..."
The dove interrupts the woman's words, speaking in an unknown language , which the red-haired woman replies back in what seems like the same language.
Callow "Did you bring breadcrumbs, daughter?
Candy J "No."
She looks back at the others, "As I was starting to say. I am Candy J. Williams, daughter of Ashley J. Williams, sister to Ashleigh J. Williams and Brandy J. Williams."
"Your boyfriend... and not a Pathfinder agent himself, I gather? Well, I don't know if there's anything against that in the guidelines."
The bespectacled dromaar figure of Venture-Captain Sigvard Tornvist peers at you from one end of a long table in a meeting room in the Open Road Lodge, located in the northern Mwangi Expense. She rises from her seat as Candy J. and Chad enter the room.
"Either way, that makes six of you, which means you're all here. Very good, let us begin. What I'm about to tell you concerns the Maze of the Open Road. Some of you may have already traveled through it, but for those who don't know, it's a network of magical portals, which Pathfinder agents use to quickly reach lodges and other sites across Golarion. Recently, our field agents assigned to missions through the Maze have started reporting strange happenings. On many occasions, Pathfinders using well-known routes and portals have exited the Maze in completely different locations than they expected. What's more, several Pathfinders have encountered traps and other dangers that certainly were not there before." She sighs, removes her glasses and places them on the table, pinching her brow in an attempt to avoid a headache, then continues. "Thankfully, there have been no serious injuries yet, but many missions have been delayed or gone wrong. I've collated the reports, and it seems obvious all these incidents are connected. I don't know what is causing it, but I've come to the conclusion that something—or someone—is altering the landmarks our agents use for navigation."
Sigvard opens a scroll, which seems to contain a list.
"I need you to enter the Maze and study at least three of the landmarks in this report. Find out what the source of these issues is and, if possible, put an end to it. Any questions?"
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The appearance of the dove's unknown language - before they had even begun! - immediately excited the athamaru. It sounded vaguely Gnomish, perhaps Gnomish with the accent of a bird. The trip was already so promising. Koi peered at the scroll, chancing for new languages in print.
To make it clear the athamaru was listening it responded to the Pathfinder's request for questions. "Thank you, Venture-Captain Sigvard Tornvist! What makes it obvious these incidents are connected?" But as it spoke its attention never left the scroll, searching for its style as much as its content.
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Sylvar watches the woman stride up boldly and pronounce her attachment to a man circled by a bloodied bird. "Some old ways are quite old... Perhaps best left in the past..." he mutters with a flourish of his hand as four small wooden bowls are filled with sauteed bloodworms over a venison mince.
A quick pass of the dishes to Koi Polloi, Old Crow, Sindrailla and Huang Tong empties the skillet as Sylvar sets to preparing a venison steak skewered over the fire. "Not enough of the tasty worms for the new people, but this just means improvisation is key. Candy is food... I wonder..." he states to himself as his brain starts to turn towards seasonings.
Looking at the party, he waves at the dishes. "Please enjoy! Feast!"
As Venture-Captain Sigvard explains the mission, Sylvar quickly finishes his candied venison skewers. "Candy for Candy. Could be no better of an omen." he says with a smile, presenting them on a platter to the couple with the cursed avian friend.
To Sigvard, Sylvar asks. "Is the scroll a list of landmarks? Any that we need to definitively visit? Are any dangerous? What about ingredients? Anything worthwhile?" he asks in rapidfire.
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"Your boyfriend... and not a Pathfinder agent himself, I gather? Well, I don't know if there's anything against that in the guidelines."
"It is not. I made sure to check. Chad knows to make sure he does not get in our way," Candy assures the Venture-Captain.
"I need you to enter the Maze and study at least three of the landmarks in this report. Find out what the source of these issues is and, if possible, put an end to it. Any questions?"
"Do you have a recommendation for which mystery we should try to solve first?"
"Candy for Candy. Could be no better of an omen." he says with a smile, presenting them on a platter to the couple with the cursed avian friend.
The couple gladly accept the food.
"Thank you, Sylvar," they say in unison when handed the food.
Brad eats his food without pausing to speak, clearly savoring each bite.
Candy alternates between eating a bit and talking with the others.
"This is my first official assignment. My sisters and I finished our training at the Grand Lodge recently. How many missions have the rest of you already been on?"
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Thinking on Candy's question, Sylvar shrugs. "Hmm... that may be difficult." he remarks. "You do not cook with a recipe, but with feeling. You let your ancestors guide your hand and lead you to the most delicious of results."
"It takes training, but the result is a dish that one cannot truly compare against."
With a quick flick of his wrist, Koi Polloi finds his plate suddenly filled once more with the bloodworms and venison mince. "You are the greatest gift to any chef. A truly grateful customer! Please eat your fill and many more as we venture forth!"
Sindrailla also finds some extra worms in her bowl. Huang Tong finds his bowl bereft of venison, but an extra portion of worms present as well. "A true chef must always cater to his clientele!"
"Is the scroll a list of landmarks? Any that we need to definitively visit? Are any dangerous? What about ingredients? Anything worthwhile?"
"Well, you can check the scroll and see for yourself." "There are certain protective magics at play inside the maze, preventing those who traverse it from climbing over its hedge walls or trying to penetrate through them. There is normally nothing perilous inside the maze, but the reports indicate some of the recent disturbances might be risky—though nothing you are not used to as Pathfinders."
"Do you have a recommendation for which mystery we should try to solve first?"
Venture-Captain Tornkvist shrugs. "That is entirely up to you, but I suggest you read the reports and start with locations your abilities are best suited for."
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The athamaru steps out of the shadows. "I am not opposed. Life in the open sea has honed my sense of direction." It casts Know the Way, twirling twice, and coming to rest pointing its spear to the north.
Moving the statues would be someone else's problem, if it came to that.
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Sylvar will see that it is past time for food and quickly begins to clean and pack up. After a few minutes, he stands back up with his pack on, kicks dirt over the fire to ensure that it is put out and nods to the group. "To the bards!" he encourages with his freshly cleaned frying pan hanging from his waist.
After you've decided on a destination, Venture-Captain Tornkvist shows you to the portal at the lodge. Before bidding you farewell, she suggests that you first head toward the maze's central courtyard, as all the landmarks in her report are reasonably easy to find from there.
Beyond the portal's threshold, the sounds and sights of the Open Road Lodge quickly fade into a muted darkness, but just as suddenly, the darkness unravels as the twisted branches of a hedge wall rustle and uncurl to create a round entrance into a hedge maze. The air carries the scent of freshly cut grass, mixed with the sweet aroma of bright red roses that sporadically dot the lush, green maze walls. After a few minutes' walk and a series of turns and short dead ends, the twisting path of the hedge maze eventually widens to a long stone causeway roofed by marble arches. The causeway leads to a courtyard surrounded by ancient stone structures, the largest of which must have been a palace. An enormous marble statue of a robed figure stands on a pedestal at the center of the courtyard, and a garland of red flowers adorns the statue's brow. The large statue depicts a bearded, balding man in a rustic, voluminous robe. He carries a staff made from a gnarled oak branch in his right hand and has a sparrow sitting on the left hand's palm.
Critical Success:
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Candy J. looks up at the statue, focusing her attention on it before the courtyard.
Callow flies and lands beside the carved sparrow in the statue's left hand.
"The society has used magic to return many of Condria's petrified victims back to flesh. This courtyard used to be considerably more crowded with statues."
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Feeling that this party must be full of studious individuals, Sylvar nods along as if he too knows about random statues in random hedges. "Yes, yes. Full stomachs mean full brains! Great job, team!"
"Let's head to the concert that Sindrailla mentioned. Do you have extra tickets? I'm afraid that I did not purchase any in advance." he says as he feels his pockets for spare coin.
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The athamaru continues its potentially futile attempt to map their travels, aided by north-bearing cantrips that also give occasional bearings to previous landmarks. ”I should probably have brought a Möbius strip. This place is impressive! Imagine our posterity should we encounter another Medusa.” Koi continues on to the concert.
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Whispering to Koi Polloi, Sylvar takes on a conspiratorial tone. [smaller["Do you think the snakes are like hair and can be cut off easily? Snake is normally quite delicious, but imagine gorgon-hair snake!"[/smaller]
Sylvar realizes that speaking about eating part of a humanoid creature might be a bit uncouth. "Only if it is like hair and not sentient of course! he quickly adds while wiping drool from the corner of his mouth.
After having their fun with the statue of Forest King Narven, the Pathfinders continue on to the clearing of the Stone Temple Pilgrims. The Stone Temple Pilgrims are not a party of bards with an affinity for flying vehicles, however, but a group of four statues whose presence has long served as a useful landmark for those navigating through the Maze.
As you reach the clearing, its namesake temple comes into view, an ancient vine-covered shrine built from stone. Four stone pedestals surrounding the temple stand empty, while four stone statues depicting humanoid creatures are lying in the grass and leaning against the temple's pillars. Inside the temple is a large bell, and a text on the wall above it reads: "Sound the bell to greet the pilgrims standing tall and proud and be greeted by four echoes." A faint scent of incense emanates from the shrine. Each of the four pedestals has a plaque that describes the pilgrim that originally rested on it, as follows:
- Top-left: "Sunsear, the Healer"
- Top-right: "Green Ghost, the Traveler"
- Bottom-right: "Midwinter, the Hunter"
- Bottom-left: "Stoneroot, the Gardener"
Next up are the descriptions of the four statues, currently scattered around the clearing. For each of the statues, you can attempt to discern information about the pilgrim by making any check from among Crafting, Nature, Perception, Religion, and Society. You may make three checks with a +2 circumstance bonus, followed by three checks without this bonus. After that, mental fatigue sets in, and your character can't glean any additional details.
The statue depicts a bearded, muscular human man holding a sickle in his left hand and a pouch in the right. He wears a simple robe and an amulet carved in the shape of a stag's head, and has tools on his belt.
This statue depicts a female dwarf wearing a robe, an amulet, and other decorations. She carries a scimitar in a scabbard at her hip and a small, curved baton on her belt.
This statue depicts a humanoid creature, whose body looks strong and is covered in scales, but has a donkey's head. The creature carries a trident in his clawed hands and wears bone armor. He is wearing an amulet crafted from twigs and leaves.
This statue depicts a tall, imposing elf woman wearing hide armor, a fur hat, and a round pendant around her neck, but carrying no weapons.
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"Midwinter, the Hunter," Candy says aloud as she looks at the elf statue depicted in what could be described as winter attire.
She then casts a spell Discern Secrets
As she casts the spell, the blood-red script on Callow shifts around on the white dove and reform into different runes & symbols of the same unknown language with eye-catching rapidity.
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