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Kharina hadn't been here in Absolom for very long, in fact she'd only arrived yesterday. She was supposed to be meeting a contact about an upcoming job but the meeting wasn't for another day or two still. As a consequence she found herself left to her own devices and ended up making her way to an area of the city called The Coins. She'd found a section that suited her needs nicely, a rather rough area that was outside of the worst sections of the district. There was plenty of crime but no one who wanted to bother an armed adventurer and it was there that she found temporary lodging. Those who worshiped as she did tended to stick together...well somewhat anyway, and she found one who would allow her to work and live out of her brothel for a few days. Of course she had to pay a portion of any income she made to the madame, such was the way of things in their profession, and she wouldn't fault the woman her fair share.
Having been assigned a room Kharina left her things there and, as it was still early, went to a nearby tavern to get a bite to eat. Her outfit was skimpy, barely concealing enough to make her considered "decent" for being in public, the removal of even one of the pale lavender scarves might well have caused the whole thing to fall off but something about her kept people from trying it. She had entered a tavern called the Drunken Mermaid, a rough establishment, but one that made sure that any fights were taken outside, one way or another. She had been told there was a deal with this place and she mentioned to the bartender she was working at Kitten's, the brothel she had a place at. The man grinned in what seemed delight and nodded, gesturing her towards a table and informing the servers that Kharina got the "special discount". Her food arrived and Kharina sat there, watching the patrons, as she ate her food.
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One of the more colorful patrons was a fire haired gnome eating at the bar. He was clothed in loose, quiet clothes and a myriad of vials. He catches her eye and winks, subtly directing her gaze to a nearby orc who was busy chugging a huge mug of terrible ale. About four gulps in the bottom of the mug explodes and sends a tidal wave of cheap alcohol into the brute's face! The bang results in several other spilled drinks and the entire place teeters on the brink of chaos.
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The Drunken Mermaid Tsadok thought to himself once more shaking his head, better accommodations were to be found that was sure, but as Pea'nut was never far from his side; the 'finer' establiments tended to look at him askance.
Yes he was short for an orc but that usually wasn't what drew their attention. The 60lbs of tawny fur seeming to glide over the ground behind him, caused more than a few to move to the otherside of the road if space allowed.
He generally kept to himself, taking a table in the corner, sword laid against the wall and Pea'nut quietly gnawing on a bone, curtesy of the cook. Within hours of arriving at the tavern not a single warf rat could be found in the building. After Pea'nut made a quick meal out of the first and two more shortly thereafter, the remainder of the vermin wisely moved to another building.
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Kharina's eye was caught by the gnome and she looked to where he directed her gaze. She watched in curiosity as the bottom of the mug exploded and he got alchohol all over his face. She noticed the place teetering on the edge of chaos and she did the only thing she could think of, she laughed. Her laughter was quite loud and when the orc began glaring at her she pointed at an ifrit on the opposite side of the bar from Sapper and said, "He did it."
The orc glared at her and nodded while he chewed out through his tusks, "You mine later." He then turned and charged at the ifrit in anger, knocking aside patrons and tables in his haste to get to the "perpetrator" of his embarrassment.
Kharina sat back and watched the show as the orc finally reached the ifrit and took a swing. Kharina watched as the ifrit dodged the blow in a panic and quickly scurried away and out the door with the large orc in hot pursuit. At the bartender's glare in her direction she knew he was about to throw her ought if she didn't think fast so shew rose and walked towards him. Her gate was slow and her hips swished and every eye was drawn to her as she approached the bar. She leaned forward and whispered to the bartender who grudgingly nodded and led her into a back office.
They were back there for a fifteen minutes before Kharina returned, her hair seemed slightly disheveled and her one of her scarves not quite in place, a problem she rectified after she walked up to Sapper and gave him a slip of paper. "This would be your bill." She sauntered back to her seat and a fresh meal, as her's had been removed, and sat to eat once more, smiling at Sapper in amusement as he read the bill.
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Nodding to her new company Kharina replied, "You're correct, I pleasured him to calm his eire and then we came up with the bill for damages, and my service. That's what I handed you." She grinned mischeviously and said, "I'm always happy to spread chaos and dissension, it just needs to be properly managed."
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As the miniature explosion goes off soaking the fellow orc, an unsociable fellow that one, always grumbling about something. Tsadok eyes his own ale, looking around the room to see if anyone was watching him specifically, nope. As the fellow chase the ifrit out of the bar, Tsadok chuckles at the obvious mistake, the ifrit might burn your backside as a joke but not blow up your drink.
The beautiful dancer though does catch his eye, as well as any other men in the room with a pulse, as she struts over and makes the barkeep an offer that is too good to resist. With a grin , Tsadok returns to his own ale.
Missing the exchange with the sapper, the hunter stops and address the dancer only. "Pardon, enjoyed the show, just 'ware Targrim. He was slow in the moment but he'll eventually figure out the ifrit didn't blow up his ale. However I will say it was entertaining."
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"thank you. It's Tsadok, son of Grodak, I'm a hunter by trade. And that is Pea'nut. " He says indicating the warm pink nose currently inspecting the ladie's knee. "He's never too far away, and apparently likes you" As the cats curls up at their feet.
Looking around the table, nodding to Slippergear "We're not intruding are we?"
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Kharina's hand drifted down to the cat as she felt the nose sniffing her knee. She gently stroked the fur around the animal's ears a moment before she felt the creature drop down and curl up. She smiled slightly and said, "It appears he does Tsaldok." She took a bite of her food and then asked the both of them, "So, what brings the two of you here?"
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The most recent entrant to the tavern is a tall, handsome human woman with a rapier at her waist who strolls in whistling lightly. Having heard the commotion inside and then seen the ifrit run out the door, she simply couldn't resist seeing what was going on inside the Drunken Mermaid. As she enters, she spots what she guesses is the cause of the havoc, a table in the corner with an eclectic group of patrons... a gnome, a half-orc man with some kind of big cat curled up at his ankles, and a beautiful human woman.
After ordering a drink, Daisy casually sidles towards the group. "Mind if I join you?" she says. "I'm not a regular here, but I have to admit that you drew my eye." That last comment could be addressed to all three but seems directed especially towards the woman.
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Lengthy travels. An ocean voyage, sore feet. Anticipation of new meetings and new beginnings.
The door to the tavern opens, and a tall, tanned Garundi woman wearing armor and worn traveler's clothing complete with a wide brimmed hat enters. She peers around curiously, looking at the various groups around the tavern before settling her eyes on the eclectic group in the corner.
Interest. Cat, gnome, half orc. Unusual.
Katswiri approaches the group, removing her hat and shaking her head slightly to settle out her ponytail.
"Greetings! I am known as Katswiri." She smiles warmly, nodding slightly towards the group as she speaks in strangely accented common. "Might I join you? I am new to Absalom, and have traveled some distance to reach here. I am looking forward to putting up my feet, and having a drink with new friends."
Her eyes flicker rapidly from face to face, never slowing as she keeps her shifting the focus of her gaze.
Katswiri's story seems to be a common one heard over and over again as person after person continues to enter The Drunken Mermaid. The volume has raised quite a bit and all speech seems to be nearly half-shouting as time continues to pass. What was already a decent crowd when Kharina stepped into the room, has become a packed venue. Nearly standing room only, it's as if the someone of great importance were making an appearance here today. Either that or nearly every single Pathfinder has been recalled to Absalon and there are no other decent places to grab an ale. The chatter dies down and everyone can hear several bells tolling loudly in the distance, it would appear that the summons has come. Paying your tabs you follow the others and begin to file out of the building towards the sound of the bells.
The sun beats down across this muddy plain, a scant five miles from the walls of Absalom. Fellow Pathfinders gather on all sides, including well-traveled field agents and more permanent staff from the Grand Lodge itself. In the center of the field stands a wooden platform, raised some ten feet off the ground. The excited chatter drowns out the buzz of summer insects as the gathered adventurers speculate on what’s to come.
You analyze some of the markings on the broad field. The field has been marked out with a series of circles, which are unusual for social gatherings but standard for arcane rituals.
Locals call this field the Bloodwatered Meadow. Many of the invading armies that tried to conquer Absalom assembled here before being defeated.
One of the most famous conflicts here did not even involve Absalom’s army. The Linnorm King Yardvun Skolson clashed with the Thuvian warlord Attagesha hundreds of years ago as both attempted to besiege the city at the same time but refused to share the glory with each. They crippled each other’s forces and were forced to retreat without ever attacking Absalom.
An archeological excavation led by the Pathfinder Society uncovered truly ancient sites in the Bloodwatered Meadow. The exact age is unknown, but several building foundations and pieces of pottery seemed reminiscent of old Azlanti designs.
Supposedly the Society has reassembled the Sky Key, a dwarven relic it started piecing back together a year ago. The Society has been “secretly” buying up large quantities of sky metal whenever it appears in the market. The Pathfinders have also been recruiting dozens of arcane spellcasters, especially evokers.
The Grand Lodge has been importing all kinds of experts on Dwarven artifice, which seems reasonable—but also experts on Numerian science, conjurers, mathematicians, and even historians who specialize in Absalom’s earliest history.
Apparently today is about a “big test,” and it sounds like the Decemvirate needs a large number of assistants to handle whatever happens next.
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Katswiri places her hat back on her head and follows along with the rest of the group, unable to hear the bells but picking up the summons from the others reactions. As they arrive at the gathering, she spends some time examining the wooden platform and the markings made on the surrounding field, before turning to her companions and gesturing excitedly at the series of circles marking out the field.
"This is interesting! I am not sure what I was expecting when I got here, but this wasn't it. I am not sure of these circular marking's purpose, but it looks similar to a number of arcane rituals I have studied. Some sort of binding magic, perhaps, or maybe something for transport? It must have something to do with what we have all been called here for."
"Whatever our purpose is, it has me curious. If there are announcements, would one of you be willing to repeat whatever is said? I can't hear." She taps her ear. "But I have become quite adept at reading lips. It is not too much trouble for casual conversation, but can be difficult at times to see the naunces at a distance."
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As the bell begin their ringing, Tsadok joins the other in following the summons. As they finally reach their destination he looks over the field not understanding what is going on yet.
"Not sure what's going on. We had a field outside town growing up with circles marked off, but those were martial training circles and the masters platform was off to the side not smack dab in the middle."
When Katswiri makes her comments about being deaf "I'll be glad to repeat what is said so long as my tusk will not pose problems for you." And he'll do just that.
Meanwhile so long as there is not a nearby tree within which Peanut can climb to gain a viewpoint, he pace close by, weaving between the party's legs. He is comfortable in towns but this large crowd is leaving him without good lines of sight. As the group makes it's way to an uninterrupted view the cat will settle down in front of Tsadok
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"Thank you Tsadok, I appreciate it. Your tusks do not impair my reading, I can understand you well. They create small distortions around certain words, but I have seen it before. From what I understand it is similar to an accent, in some ways."
"And please, if anyone ever needs to catch my attention, just touch my arm. I try to keep an eye on everyone around me so I can see if you start speaking to me, but it can be difficult at times."
As they wait, Katswiri begins to watch through the sky for birds, looking for patterns where she can derive some clue of what will come today, and what she will be called upon to do.
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The bells called them to the meeting, far earlier than Kharina expected. She had expected a day or two before the meeting. Still she was adaptable and didn't let it bother her. She'd make it up to the Madame later on.
As they reached the appointed place she looked at the circles on the ground and listened as the others talked. While Kharina could be very sociable she knew enough about when to talk, and when to listen. As Katswiri explained her issue Kharina looked to her and said clearly, "I understand," her expression was a bit naughty when she continued, "though I can think of better places to touch you if I want your attention." She turned then and began to pay more attention to the area around them but the place was still too new for her and there was too much happening for her to really be able to focus on any one thing.
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"You've heard about the Sky Key, that ancient dwarf artifact?" Daisy says to the group. "I asked around a tad, and that's what this is all about. Apparently they're ready to test it, but I don't know why they need so many people. Now, it's my first time taking a mission as a Pathfinder - they're not all this busy, are they?"
"I understand," her expression was a bit naughty when she continued, "though I can think of better places to touch you if I want your attention."
Daisy stifled a laugh at Kharina's comment. "Foolish as it is to be distracted, if I do I hope you'll feel free to catch my attention however you like," she adds with a grin.
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Muroi follows the crowd in silence. After listening to everyone, he comes next to Katswiri, touches her left arm and pronouncing clearly "Hello, everyone. My name is Muroi. I can see we all are here for the same reason. I hope I can help."
He scratches his head trying to understand what is sky key? And after few seconds with no idea he talks to Daisy. "Excuse me, Lady. What is the sky key? Why are we here? What test are you talking about?"
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"What I said's all I know, really," Daisy says with a shrug. "It's some kind of ancient dwarven relic, and they've been trying to get it back in working condition. All sorts of wizards and experts working on it. They apparently need us here for a test of its operations, but as for what it does -- that's what we're waiting to find out."
Gatherings of Pathfinders always bring great excitement and great anticipation. They also usually take place in more interesting places than a mildly muddy field outside of Absalom.
Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shane observes the Pathfinder agents arriving into the field and calls out "Yes, Pathfinders. A lot of you, certainly. Lovely! Well, find your places in an orderly fashion. We’ve got some truly exciting news today and I can’t wait to get started!”
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Katswiri gasps as she realizes the full importance of what the machine can do, smiling widely and looking around the group excitedly.
"I agree Daisy, this is beyond anything I could have imagined! We know so little about the Age of Sepents, to actually be able to go and see for ourselves...all that time reading about the past, and now I actually get to experience it!"
"Oh, how I wish I had studied ancient Azlanti, to be able to do a proper linguistic comparison with real native speakers, to see how our understanding of the tongue has changed over the millenia. The oldest tongue I speak well is ancient Osiriani, which won't be developed for thousands of years from this point. "
She shoulders her backpack, strapping her shield on her arm and checking her weapon on her hip. "Are we ready to see what we find?"
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Kharina glanced at Tsadok in horror as he spoke and said, "You just had to say it didn't you Tsadok, you just had to tempt fate. Now we know this is going to blow up in our faces." She sighed then, Kharina was intrigued by the device, it seemed to her it would have a great deal of value, far more than she expected. "I agree, this is going to be very interesting. Now," she clapped her hands once and asked, "who is ready to get started?"
As the Pathfinder's set out after hearing the speech, a representative approaches the half-orc. "Pathfinder Tsadok'ul. Given your previous assistance with the Golden Guardian, I've been asked to pass these items along to you to assist in your tasks this day. Good luck." He pulls out two potions and passes them on to the hunter before trotting off to another group of Pathfinders.
The team, being unable to reach the temple at the top for the moment, heads into one of the cross sectioned areas. The stink of animal scat and rotting meat fills this massive cavern. Shelves, passageways, and fixtures have been carved into the wall by careful hands, each stylized to resemble a serpent’s head or body.
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As the group enters the dark, cavernous space, Katswiri silently touches her hat, causing it to begin glowing with a soft white light, illuminaing their eerie surroundings. Katswiri crinkles her nose as the stench assualts her nostrils as she peers around. "Well, whoever was living here clearly did not have cleanliness as a priority. That, or there was a battle here and the bodies were left to rot. Lets be careful."
Continually glancing around, both to watch out for any serpentfolk and to make sure she does not become separated from her companions, Katswari examines the nearby shelves for books, carved symbols, or anything else that might be of scholarly interest.
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Muroi presses her nose with his left hand to stop the bad smell. With a funny voice produced by his blocked nose "Katswiri, I hope that your second option is true. I would be more worried, if this smell is just rotten bodies that are food for a monster. I don´t wanna be food for a monster."
Then he focus on the way in front of him and he casts detect magic "Detectar Magia"
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The sights and smells were rather appalling, especially the smells. This was not the kind of place she would care to frequent. Still, she felt a certain thrill at what she was seeing and looked around. Deciding that a little more light wouldn't hurt anything she tapped the end of her morningstar causing it to glow. While she didn't hold the weapon in her hand just now it still provided ample light as it was. She was glad that she had changed into her gear before leaving for this place, her normal clothing would have been ruined already, and she began to examine the room.
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"Thank you, I'm sure we will have need of them before this day is out."
After the representative leaves though Tsadok turns to the others.."If we're meeting someone from the past, someone a bit more fleet of tongue should do the speaking. Most of my speaking is done at the end of this." Indicating the hilt of his greatsword.
As they move forward he activates the aspect of the bat for Pea'nut
"we'll scout the edges of the room while you look around right here. See if we can't keep the locals from sneaking up on us in the dark."
As you slowly walks through the echoing cavern the group looks about for signs of something interesting. Muroi doesn't detect magic and nothing but loose rubble is strewn about. Pea'nut and Tsadok'ul sense trouble approaching and holds his hand to halt the party. A few seconds later they all hear some sounds coming from around the corner. They are suddenly standing face to face with a human like reptilian creature, with a mace and several javelins strapped to his back, and two tiny dinosaur like creatures. The small reptiles have a snake-like neck and head, a bird-like body with strong legs for running, and a whip like tail.
The two creatures point at the group and look excitedly between eachother before reaching for their weapons.
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As the creature reaches for its weapons Tsadok does the same. The hiss of steel as the greatsword clears it harness. Brandishing in front of him he waits to see if the creature will attack.
"This fellow doesn't appear to be the diplomatic type, but will give him a chance to speak."
Tsadok and Pea'nut change places, with the cat ranging out to the right. cutting off the direct path to the remainder of the party.
The two tiny creatures dash towards Pea'nut when they lock eyes on the beast. They run with their mouths open and attempt to lock down on Pea'nut's limbs. The other creature with the morningstar follows on the heels of the beast and swipes down at Tsadok'ul with it's morningstar. Taken by surprise by the appearance of the hunter and it's companion, all three attacks miss their targets.