Check in here for the next, and possibly most important, step in the Hao Jin Saga.
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Many of you have been called down to this chamber so often that it is no longer particularly interesting. Even the Hao Jin tapestry, laying in its frame and in all its glory has almost become mundane at this point. What IS interesting is that there is no one there studying the artifact. Generally there are at least 2 or 3 scholars examining the tapestry and making notes about it. What is VERY interesting is the venture captain who greets you. After all, the last time you saw Aram Zey, he was sacrificing himself to merge with the very structure of the tapestry to become the new Ruby Phoenix and stabilize the artifact to keep it from collapsing and killing everyone still inside. “Well? Don’t stand there as though you’ve seen a ghost. Gather around,” he says in his usual brusque manner. ”I have called you here for two reasons. The first is that some of you are the agents who have the most experience in the Hao Jin Tapestry of any in the Society. The others of you, while less experienced in that particular area, are nonetheless seasoned and have a record of working will with the ones who have been in the most. ”The second reason is both more compelling and more complex. Don’t ask me how-I know but it would take far to long to explain it-but this exact group of Pathfinders were the ones who won the Hao Jin Tapestry in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, in the first place,” he explains and falls silent for a few moments to let the implications sink in. ”So, as you can see, it is imperative that you go back to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament and win so that you can claim the Hao Jin Tapestry or everything we’ve done with it, all the people we’ve helped, all the knowledge we’ve gained will have never happened,” he concludes. ”Any questions?”
Welcome to the party, guys. I'll be out of town until the 12th but feel free to check in, rp, whatnot, until then.
"“After the sweltering heat of Nagajor, some might consider the coolness of these tunnels delightful, but we have little time to rest,” Venture-Captain Amara Li begins, addressing a sizeable caravan of Pathfinder agents, laborers, and nagaji guides. “By my calculations, we are now about two thousand feet below the surface, which places us in Nar-Voth. Welcome to the Darklands, Pathfinders. We’ll establish a base camp here.”
Greeting's and salutations. While we're waiting for things to begin on September 4th, feel free to introduce yourselves here and your characters in the Gameplay Thread. Also, please fill out the RPG Chronicles with your information as all reporting is being done out of there for this Gameday. That link is also in the Campaign description.
Please dot and delete.
Welcome to the next installment in the Hao Jin Saga! Note that your mission briefing is actually on slide 2 of the slide deck. While you're there fill in/check your numbers on slide 1. Feel free to read and respond to the initial post of the Gameplay Thread.
You receive an unusual summons to meet District Councilmember and priestess of Abadar Jostlyn Ferqyr at the Vault of Abadar in Absalom’s Ivy District. Upon arrival, Ferqyr is already waiting at the compound’s main gate flanked by two stern paladins of Abadar. "Greetings," she says, politely and hands you an envelope containing your mission briefing along with a small satchel of handwritten documents. "Follow me," she then says before leading the way into one of the Vault of Abadar’s subbasements where they will be transported to the plane of Axis. Ferqyr is remarkably tight-lipped. She responds to any questions with a curt apology and a shrug. She passes through several locked and guarded rooms and descends two staircases, and finally unlocks a vault that contains several small stone plinths, each containing a lockbox. Ferqyr unlocks one and carefully lifts out a golden miniature the size of a dinner plate in the shape of a circular city. Keeper Ferqyr carefully hands the intricate golden miniature to one of the paladins beside her and pulls out and reads from a small scroll. “The Vault of Absalom hereby contractually gives permission to the Members of the Pathfinder Society here present to make use of the miraculous powers of the Golden City of Tumen to travel to and return from the realm of the Master of the First Vault, thrice-blessed be his name. During their stay in Axis, the Pathfinders shall conduct themselves in a matter befitting their role as representatives of the Church of Abadar, and not bring ill repute upon it or any of its subsidiary organizations.” Ferqyr looks expectantly at you, waiting for an affirmative answer from each of you.
And on we go.
And on we go.
You receive an urgent letter from Marcus Farabellus (First Handout on slide 2) to meet at the statue of Durvin Gest on the grounds of the Grand Lodge. In addition, members of the Silver Crusade also receive their own missive (Second Handout on slide 2.)
Here we are once again. I'll go back to the list of folks from Portal of the Sacred Rune to see who wants to join us on this one. We'll need at least one to replace Rallas. If my count is right, there are 4 more regular scenarios, including this one, 5 if you count Fragments of Antiquity, which we skipped. Then there's Siege of Serpents, which is a special and Serpent's Rise, which requires pre-gens and Serpent's Fall which is a 12-15 scenario. And then there's the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, which is a Module. So...depending on how completionist we want/can be some where between 4 scenarios and 7 scenarios plus a module to complete the Hao Jin Saga.
Before the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Swords, Marcos Farabellus, a large map of northern Avistan lies spread across the table. A notched and battered longsword weighs the map down on one side, preventing it from furling closed, while its sheathe does the same on the other side. Farabellus has placed all manner of objects upon the map, each indicating a different landmark or Pathfinder Society resource. Aram Zey, the Master of Spells, frowns as Farabellus places another piece down upon the map. “This is the lost Sky Citadel Jormurdun, in the very northwestern extreme of what is now the Worldwound,” Farabellus explains, pointing towards a dwarven-minted gold coin, “And this red stone is Nerosyan, Mendev’s capitol city. As you can see, any expedition launched from Nerosyan has to cross the entire demon-infested Worldwound to reach the Sky Citadel. With the recent failure of the wardstones and increased demonic attacks along the border, such a journey would be suicide. It makes more strategic sense to enter the Worldwound from the west—from the Tusk Mountains, home of the Mammoth Lords. It’s a shorter distance and there’d be a whole lot fewer demon armies along the way.” “Though that may be true, we have no allies or holdings in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords,” Aram Zey interrupts, pushing over a miniature marble elephant, much to Farabellus’ clear annoyance. “However, though we do not intend to forsake our allies in Mendev, the Master of Swords makes a valid point. The Decemvirate has therefore authorized a small reconnaissance mission to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. We are sending you to scout along the eastern border of the Worldwound, find and secure a suitable location that we could use as a staging ground for our expedition, and ensure the cooperation of the local barbarian tribes.”
Into the flood again...
The Master of Spells Aram Zey waits in a deep subbasement of the Grand Lodge, where he scowls as another group of Pathfinder agents walks into a door-sized tapestry of intricately woven but badly frayed cloth. As the last agent’s foot disappears into the Hao Jin Tapestry, Aram Zey snaps a quick order for his assistants to reconfigure the tapestry for Kyonin before turning his eyes—weary and bloodshot from long hours of work—to you. “Pathfinders, let’s keep this brief. That was the seventeenth group it has been my grueling duty to send through the tapestry today, and words cannot express my inordinate pleasure at understanding there will be an eighteenth,” he growls through the gritted teeth of a forced smile. “Nonetheless, this mission is an important one, and the society has few others who are cut out to handle the task.” He pauses to take several deep breaths, which do much to alleviate his sour mood. “One of my colleagues, Venture-Captain Varian Jeggare, spent a considerable amount of time in Kyonin, and in doing so he performed a considerable service for Queen Telandia Edasseril. She owes him a considerable favor in return, and he was gracious enough to use it for the society’s benefit. Jeggare is busy elsewhere, so he cannot deliver the message himself. Instead he wrote out a formal request and letter of introduction for all of you. It seems he thinks you would represent the society well in playing messenger,” Zey explains before adding under his breath, “and to his credit I can imagine worse ambassadors. “As you can see, the letter is sealed, and it should remain so until you meet General Theila Tenasi and give it to her. In effect, it requests that she provide the Pathfinder Society a contingent of rangers specialized in hunting demons to assist us as we make our way to Jormurdun. So, that’s your mission: Go to Kyonin, meet with the general, and make sure the elves don’t back out of this favor. We have a contact in Greengold who can secure you quick passage back to Absalom or anywhere else you need to go afterward. You’ll be taking the Tapestry to reach Kyonin, and Kreighton Shaine has already contacted the elves to let them know to expect you. Any questions?”
Time to Boldly Go Far Far Away and a Long Time Ago.
The effects of the Data Scourge attacks are still felt across Absalom Stations and the Pact Worlds, and the First Seeker is constantly seeking solutions. After hearing a rumor of Scourge-resistant technology on a distant world seeking Pact Protectorate status, Ehu Hadif arranges for a team of Starfinders to accompany the delegation of Stewards and Xenowardens to review the world's petition. On the record, the Starfinders are concerned with evaluating the planet's ruins, but Ehu hopes they can learn about the mysterious technology supposedly being developed by the colonists. Missions are rarely so straightforward, however, and the PCs must contend with an overreaching church, their fellow diplomatic delegates, and dark secrets buried just beneath the surface of the colony's outwardly placid society. Will this world reach its ambition and become part of the Pact Worlds, and does it really have access to technology that could help combat the Data Scourge? Most importantly, will the assigned agents survive their "diplomatic mission?"
Hey guys. I'm going to reach out to Silver Bullet's player to see if he wants to join us. Assuming he's not already reading this. I'll probably also go through the old player list to see who might want to rejoin us, as well. I know technically 3 is a legal table but 4 is definitely better.
The conference room is comfortable enough to wait in: plush chairs surround a table with a pewter samovar of hot tea resting upon it. However, Aram Zey is, unsurprisingly, late for this meeting. Then again, at one point in your adventures he had become the insubstantial guardian of the Hao Jin Tapestry demiplane so he's not THAT late. Finally, the door flies open and the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Spells strides through in peremptory fashion. “Sit, if you like,” he says, coming to a halt at the head of the table but making no effort to seat himself. “I have a job that needs doing, and it’s an important one. And since the lot of you have proven less likely than most to bungle the whole thing, you’ll suffice. “Much of my time over the past year has been involved in the exploration of the demiplane inside the Hao Jin Tapestry, the artifact we acquired as a prize for winning the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. As you may know, those efforts have been severely hampered by the presence of Aspis Consortium agents inside what should be our private realm. I cannot even begin to describe the resources the Decemvirate has spent tracking this infestation to its source. “But we’re nearly at the end, and I should be able to resume productive uses of my time. I believe all Aspis agents inside the tapestry itself have been dealt with, and we have located their means of access to the demiplane: a portal, torn into the plane from somewhere on Golarion. You secured the tapestry end of the portal, but that isn’t enough. A second point of access to the demiplane could be invaluable to our efforts, especially if it permits quick and easy travel from Absalom to wherever the static entrance is in Golarion—a shortcut, if you will. No, I need the other side captured, and whatever facility the Aspis Consortium maintains there secured. Go through the portal, eliminate any opposition on the other end, and secure the base for our own use. Do you think you can manage that?”
Time to talk of cabbages and kings.
You convene in Oppara at the clandestine lodge of Venture-Captain Muesello, who maintains his operation in the back rooms of a bait and tackle shop. His pockmarked
For very important discussions.
Leave a message here if you're interested in joining us.
Have you run...have you run too far to get home? Has Zey gone and left you all alone?
With the Sundered Path traversed, all that remains is the stronghold of the ratfolk. At the end of the path stands the Pagoda of the Rat, hewn from the stone of Round Mountain. Eaves sweep upward into points between each of the tower’s seven tiers, and the top of the pagoda tapers into a graceful spire. At the center of each floor, a round window gazes blindly at the barren expanse of Round Mountain’s vast central chamber. Unassuming steps lead up the pagoda’s base to a set of bronze doors.
As a great American Poet once said "on to the next one."
As a great American Poet once said "on to the next one."
Pathfinder Society Master of Spells Aram Zey stands impatiently in front of the Hao Jin Tapestry in the bowels of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Once the entire party is assembled before him, Zey begins speaking in a terse, no-nonsense tone. “Behind me is one of the greatest treasures to come into the Society’s hands in decades—an entire demiplane containing some of Golarion’s greatest treasures, whisked away from the Material Plane by the legendary Tian sorceress Hao Jin. It should be ours alone to explore, but the Aspis Consortium has found another way into the isolated pocket dimension, and they’ve already begun plundering the treasures within with reckless abandon for the secrets they might contain. “A recent expedition to observe one of the Consortium’s encampments uncovered a fact we must act upon quickly. Aspis Consortium agents within the tapestry are currently, or will shortly be, meeting with a tribe of ratfolk in a place called Round Mountain in order to form some sort of alliance. These ratfolk are incredibly powerful within the tapestry, and their influence stretches far beyond the mountain itself. If the Consortium allies themselves with such a dominant organization within the tapestry, our efforts to rid the demiplane of their encroaching filth will be all that much more difficult. “Thus, you must stop them. Get to the ratfolk stronghold—a place known as he Pagoda of the Rat in a cavern at the center of the mountain—and prevent the Consortium from negotiating an alliance with the ratfolk there. Form such an alliance yourselves if you can, but your priority is preventing official cooperation between the ratfolk and the Aspis Consortium within the Hao Jin Tapestry. Prepare yourselves for a long journey, Pathfinders, because I fear you will not be able to easily return here until your entire mission is complete. I trust you will take the necessary precautions, but if you must return early, simply step back into the extraplanar eddy that will appear behind you when you arrive.” He pauses and cocks his head and squints at you suspiciously. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Welcome to the game! This scenario is very skills and subterfuge heavy so if the character you signed up with doesn't fit that bill, feel free to bring in another one within the right level range. In fact, if you play your cards right, you can get through the full scenario without ever rolling initiative. A major part is exploring the titular library so I'm going to go ahead and post those mechanics here - As the PCs explore the Library of the Lion, they can perform skill checks to uncover, look through, and write notes about texts that fulfill their mission objectives. Some of these texts also contain clues, which grant a special advantage on other such skill checks. This scenario uses a small, special deck of cards to represent these texts (reproduced on slides 4-6.) You can find one or more texts in each room and I'll reveal the clues as they're discovered and place an "X" over them as you use them. Searching a room for texts requires a successful skill check, and multiple PCs can search an area simultaneously. Each researching PC can attempt a Linguistics, Knowledge (history), or text-based Craft or Profession check (such as Profession [librarian] or Craft [bookbinding]) to find texts. A PC might use a different skill or ability albeit with a penalty ranging from –2 to –5 . Several areas also identify additional skill check options that PCs may use without penalty. PCs who use magic or class abilities in a particularly creative or relevant way might receive up to a +5 bonus on a check. Each area with texts is categorized as a small, medium, or large room, which take 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours respectively to search and copy down relevant information. Divide the time required to search the room between each actively researching PC (e.g. three PCs can search a medium room in 20 minutes). No more than four PCs can efficiently search a small room at the same time, and no more than five PCs can search a medium room at a time. Whether they succeed or fail at the check, PCs can continue spending time searching a room—they receive one additional text by spending half as much time continuing, which they can do while there are any texts left in the room. It’s important to both the Society and Princess Eutropia that the Pathfinders leave behind as few tracks and clues of their infiltration as possible, and significant precautions can grant the PCs Deception points that contribute to achieving the scenario’s secondary success condition.
Located in the Taldan Capitol city of Oppara, Venture-Captain Muesello’s lodge hides behind the facade of a simple bait and tackle shop, which Muesello dutifully maintains to provide Pathfinders a local base of operations that doesn’t invite much scrutiny. His pockmarked face breaks into a smile as the bell on the door jingles, and he motions for everyone to gather in the building’s back room before locking up the shop and propping a sign in the window that reads “Gone fishing.” An elegant, dark haired lady sits at a table by a small fireplace. ”This is Lady Glorianna Morilla,” Muesello says by way of introduction. ”she is a Taldan noblewoman and a valuable and stalwart ally.” Venture-Captain Muesello quietly closes the door behind him before continuing. “The Pathfinder Society does not have a sterling reputation in Taldor, despite my and others’ efforts to impress the local moves and shakers. As a result, the most prestigious universities and colleges often deny our agents access to the best libraries in Oppara, thinking we are meddling good-for-nothings. As one of the oldest intact civilizations near the Inner Sea, these libraries no doubt house some very precious volumes. Recently we received a most wonderful opportunity—an invitation, really, from a very powerful patron,” he adds as he withdraws a scroll tube with a broken wax seal from his apron. “This patron will secure us a couple hours in the rare books collection at the Kitharodian Academy, during which we may peruse for whatever we wish so long as we also retrieve several documents of interest for our friend. That,” he punctuates by tapping the scroll tube on the table, “is where things get interesting. Apparently there is an even more precious archive hidden beneath the academy’s library, and our patron believes it to contain numerous original records and undoctored historical accounts otherwise unknown to the world! Our contact knows how to get into the archive and has shared the secret with us. “Two hours is little time, so you must make the most of your time. I know it will be tempting to research other interests, but it would be selfish for the Society to think of itself when the Worldwound’s borders threaten to envelop Mendev and beyond. I am sending you in with the express purpose of uncovering more information about the Shining Crusade, the sustained war against the Whispering Tyrant a millennium ago.” Lady Morilla snaps open a fan to fend off the room’s growing warmth, adding, “Historically, Taldor is the authority on massive military campaigns, but most texts have undergone extensive revision to serve some political agenda or another. Entering this hidden archive is an excellent opportunity to learn from the real mistakes of the past and apply those lessons to the Mendevian Crusade. “Remember that you have permission to be in the academy’s library, but not in this secret archive, so do everything you can to avoid being noticed while exploring. In fact, the fewer clues you leave of your passage, the better. Specifically do not steal or destroy any of the library’s contents. A few slip-ups might alert the authorities that someone has been poking around, and too many with give them enough evidence to trace this act to us.” Muesello opens a drawer in the table and begins pulling out a couple small parcels wrapped in cloth. “Any questions?”
For Chitting and Chatting. So, from the intro, you can see this takes place soon after the Hao Jin Cataclysm...which is when Aram Zey leaves/becomes the Ruby Phoenix. I'm assuming more time travelling shenanigans since the last briefing was probably not the last briefing Zey's going to give you in this run.
Several hundred Pathfinders stand together in a long stone chamber of the Grand Lodge, following an urgent but mysterious summons. Murmurs of speculation and rumor spread out across the room until, at the precise second of the hour, the doors fly open. Silence falls as two cloaked figures enter, marching in sync, their steps echoing through the hushed room. Ornate masks obscure their faces. One mask is woven from spreading branches, while the other is a black domino mask studded with crystal tears. The silent room buzzes with anticipation, as the assembled agents wait to hear why these masked figures, two of the shadowy Decemvirate that leads the Pathfinder Society, have summoned them. The figure in the branch mask steps forward and speaks, their voice crisp but slightly distorted. “Pathfinders,” they say from behind their mask, “many of you have already undertaken missions into the demiplane within the Hao Jin Tapestry. Numerous expeditions have gone inside that artifact since the Society acquired it seven years ago, each mission yielding some handful of the near infinite treasures hidden inside it. Our last mission found the tapestry crumbling and Aram Zey lost. You will be recovering what you can from tapestry before it is too late for any to enter—or too late for what’s inside to leave. The venture-captains will give you more specific directions in the coming days. If you wish to be part of a salvage team, prepare as best you can and remain in Absalom. May fortune smile upon you all.” As swiftly as they entered, the masked figures depart, and the crowd’s excited conversations rise into a dull roar.
Please update/add your initiative and perception information on slide 1. The gameplay thread is already up. Feel free to begin posting over there at any time.
The Hao Jin Tapestry hangs on the wall of this stuffy basement room in the Grand Lodge. The tattered piece of fabric, five feet wide and seven feet long, looks more like a worn tablecloth than a storied artifact. The Pathfinder Society’s Master of Spells Aram Zey stands before tapestry, his arms folded across his chest. He speaks without greeting. “As you all surely know, the Society labors at some cost to assemble a dwarven relic known as the Sky Key.” The Master of Spells produces an intricately sculpted piece of metal decorated with fluid carvings. A sudden flash of excitement fills his weary eyes. “The object I hold in my hands is one of five pieces of that curiosity. The pieces that the Society has obtained so far share the same luster and artistic sensibilities, but have different shapes and functions within the assembled artifact. Today, hopefully, you will retrieve another piece. Previous missions lead us to believe that a fragment of the Sky Key lies within the tapestry, in the company of a dwarven clan that left Golarion for Hao Jin’s realm some time ago. Your task is to enter the tapestry and make contact with these dwarves, discern what they know about the Sky Key, and negotiate for their piece, should they still have it.” The taciturn sage produces a hexagonal beard clasp of thick, polished metal. He focuses on Kal'Ryon. “You, Bocke Reed, Castinus Fulvio, Fiata Oe, Ichio and Quensha Elberion retrieved this beard clasp from one of the sites that we suspected of holding the Sky Key fragment many months ago. It belonged to an ancestor of the dwarves who live in the tapestry, and it may assist you in your negotiations. Return it to me if it does not gain you the fragment you seek. We hold no particular ire for the dwarves. Retrieve the Sky Key fragment if possible, but try not to murder anyone.” Aram Zey adds grudgingly, “Does anyone have any questions before I send you into tapestry?”
I'm not ready to start yet, but we can chat here for a bit.
Venture-Captain Amara Li summons the party to the Lantern Lodge in Goka, where they’re ushered into a meeting room adjacent to the lodge’s well-stocked library. A table of polished teakwood dominates the middle of this room. Around it sits a number of padded chairs. A handsome Tian woman, dressed in a simple silk dress, sits at the head of the table. Amara Li gestures for the newcomers to sit. “Thank you for coming, Pathfinders. “As you know, the society came into possession of the now infamous Hao Jin Tapestry after winning the Ruby Phoenix Tournament last year. This magical tapestry contains a demiplane, one in which the ancient sorcerer Hao Jin placed a vast collection of treasures and magical wonders. The Society has been sending Pathfinder teams, including you, into the demiplane for months, mapping its locations and cataloging a staggering number of incredible finds. “During the course of these expeditions, we uncovered a secret entrance—backdoor, if you will—that links the tapestry with a site in distant Varisia. Aspis Consortium agents bent on plundering the demiplane secretly exploited this entry point. However, thanks to you, the Society took control of the Varisian entrance. “We hoped to use the tapestry as an instantaneous method of traveling between Absalom and Varisia, but the route to Varisia is currently only one-way. The Decemvirate wants to change this.” Amara pauses as the Temple of Abadar’s bells mark the midday hour. As the twelfth bell sounds, a thin, middle-aged Keleshite man appears out of nowhere standing next to her, carrying what appears to be a rolled-up rug over one shoulder. “Greetings,” Aram Zey says sharply as he unrolls the rug, which you recognize is the Hao Jin Tapestry and attaches it to the wall. “As the venture-captain was saying, the Society needs the link between Absalom and Varisia to work in both directions. I believe it’s possible to reattune the tapestry by accessing a site called the Sacred Shrine of Abadar at the very heart of the demiplane. After much research, I believe that the instructions are documented in a tome called the Abysium Codex. With it, you should be able to reattune the tapestry and allow us to travel to and from Absalom and Varisia at will. After we’ve achieved that, we can establish our own permanent portals in points all over Golarion where we need quick access to. Just imagine having rapid, two-way travel from wherever the tapestry is held to points all over the world. “First thing’s first: we need you to retrieve the Abysium Codex,” interjects Amara Li. “You’ll find it in the possession of a woman named Shadow Orchid, who operates a bookshop called the Learned Crane here in Goka. But be wary, Pathfinders. Though Shadow Orchid is very old and feeble, she is a former Xun assassin—a master of the art of murder.”
For chitting and chatting. Feel free to introduce yourselves and provide the below info: Name:
Dot and delete, please
Heh...because I put "Green" in the title of the Campaign, it looks like all my text is going to be green. I don't know if that will be true for you guys, as well. I have not heard back from Grimdog in a bit. I'm inclined to wait a bit more before looking for a replacement (maybe beginning Friday?) but I'm open to discussion. Do we want to look faster...do we want to not worry and proceed with only 5 if he doesn't join us?
The missive from Venture-Captain Amara Li was clear, and comes to mind as the skyline of Korvosa rises into view over the calm waters of Conqueror’s Bay in southern Varisia. “Recently the Society acquired a new ally in Absalom named Sendeli Foxglove. Now she has made something of a personal request. Sendeli has a sister named Zeeva in Korvosa who owns a successful marketplace. A competing business interest is threatening Lady Foxglove, and her sister requests the Society investigate and intervene. “If you consider the matter pedestrian and more suited toward the local constabulary, I wouldn’t blame you. Even so, there are extenuating circumstances. First, the competing business interest is the Aspis Consortium. It makes little sense for them to harass a local greengrocer, so there must be a deeper layer to this. Maintaining close ties to Sendeli Foxglove is an agenda the Society feels is worth pursuing in and of itself, but if we can assist Zeeva while also hampering the Aspis Consortium’s efforts to gain influence in Korvosa, all the better. “There is smoke here, now find the fire. Extricate Zeeva Foxglove from this feud with the Consortium. If she’s anything like her sister, she’ll want to be an active part of this team—but you are not to let her put herself in danger. We’ve made that clear to her, and you’re expected to abide by it and ensure she does as well. If this matter is simply crooked business, then just resolve it and continue on to Magnimar where Venture-Captain Heidmarch will surely have more in store for you.”
Winning the Hao Jin Tapestry at the Ruby Phoenix Tournament was supposed to grant the Pathfinder Society exclusive access to a museum demiplane where the Tian sorceress Hao Jin stored her most valuable and dangerous acquisitions. At first, the Pathfinder Society believed that the five-by-seven foot tapestry was the only entrance into a demiplane filled with countless ruins drawn from numerous cultures and regions of the world that would be theirs alone to explore. But they soon discovered evidence to the contrary. The Decemvirate knows now that Aspis Consortium agents have found or forced their way into the allegedly secure demiplane, and they know where the interlopers’ base is. A tribe of lizardfolk native to the plane—called the Muckmouth tribe—are being coerced into serving as guides, porters, and laborers in the Aspis’s plundering, not for any love of Consortium, but because the Consortium is holding a generation of the tribe’s eggs hostage. The Decemvirate is not interested in sharing its new prize with the Aspis Consortium, and wishes to drive it out and discover how the organization gained access to Hao Jin’s demiplane. The only lead so far is the Aspis base in the lizardfolk tribe’s ancestral breeding grounds within a cave called the Muckmouth, from which the tribe derives its name. Were agents able to infiltrate the caves and dispatch the Aspis agents there, perhaps the lizardfolk would even provide assistance to the Society in its efforts to explore the new realm. Regardless of this possibility, the primary goal is investigating how the Aspis Consortium gained access to the demiplane and determining the extent of their operations here. Previously obtained details provide a trail through the wide, unmapped marshland from the Society’s point of entry into the demiplane to the Muckmouth, which now lies two hundred yards to the north—a twenty-foot wide cave mired with mud and swamp water. Inside are the Muckmouth tribe’s eggs and the Aspis agents holding them hostage—the only lead to a greater plot from the Society’s greatest rival.
And on we go.
For chitting AND chatting
First come, first served. Looking forward to seeing what comes.
Dot in when approved.
One more time around... might do it...
Deep beneath the Pathfinder Society’s headquarters in Absalom’s Grand Lodge, an otherwise austere stone chamber now teems with activity, as Pathfinder scholars scamper across several levels of wooden scaffolding surrounding a large tapestry laid out in the center of the floor. Some examine the five-by-seven foot tapestry with magnifying glasses or magical lenses, while others work diligently at small work desks, consulting ancient tomes and performing complex arcane mathematics. From the crowd steps the Master of Spells, Aram Zey, who motions to a relatively clear and quiet corner of the room. Arriving in the corner, he speaks in a hushed voice. “I am very busy, Pathfinders, so I’ll keep this short. As you know, before you lies the mythical Hao Jin Tapestry, the result of all our efforts to win the Ruby Phoenix Tournament in Goka this year. I know it looks like a ragged piece of abstractly woven cloth, but Pathfinders of your experience should know that looks can be deceiving. Within that rag lies an entire world, a demiplane created by the sorceress Hao Jin to hold the most massive and dangerous exhibits in her world-renowned collection of wonders. In addition to housing the extraplanar museum, the tapestry also acts as the sole portal into that wondrous world. And now it is ours to explore and research as much as we want with no risk of interference. “My scholars have been hard at work analyzing the tapestry itself, and the Society’s diviners have located a number of treasures within the demiplane that we want investigated firsthand. Among them is the long-lost Dog Pharaoh’s Tomb, for which we’ve been searching for decades. It turns out the deserts of Osirion were the wrong place to look. Hao Jin moved it into the tapestry a thousand years ago! “Your mission is to explore the tomb and recover any treasures you might find particularly valuable from the Dog Pharaoh’s doubtlessly substantial horde. Along the way, keep an eye out for any information on the Dog Pharaoh’s life, as details on him beyond his name are scarce. If you are successful, this could be among the most significant finds in recent Pathfinder history, so don’t disappoint me. “Any questions before you go into the tapestry?”
One more time around. Please update your perception and initiative bonuses on slide 1. |