It is around noon in the Osirion capital and the oppressive, dry heat has almost reached its peak as you make your way to your meeting with Jalden Krenshar, the local Pathfinder venture captain. She has contacted you with an offer of sponsored work for the Pathfinders, exploring and mapping a recently uncovered pyramid for the organisation. The Pathfinder lodge in Sothis is a relatively large complex with several smaller buildings clustered around a broad, central hall. An aide leads you to a small meeting chamber with several comfortable chairs set around a large, wooden table.
“Please wait here,” he instructs. “Venture Captain Jalden will be with you shortly.”
“Please wait here,” he instructs. “Venture Captain Jalden will be with you shortly.”
Garai sets his staff carefully down on the table, it's metal caps glinting in the lamp light. The first here he surveys the room, and turning back to the aide says "My thanks, would it be possible that refreshment be provided? It has been a long journey here, and the day out is hot. Again, my thanks."
A tiny gnome bounces cheerfully into the room. Seeing the human male already there, she holds up a loop of leather cord from which dangles a crude stone carving of the shell of Ulunat that she has purchased from a steet vendor. "Did you see the big beetle?"
A tiny gnome bounces cheerfully into the room. Seeing the human male already there, she holds up a loop of leather cord from which dangles a crude stone carving of the shell of Ulunat that she has purchased from a steet vendor. "Did you see the big beetle?"
Garai crouches, and looks at the small shell carefully. "I am sorry, little lady, but I don't see a beetle big or small. I do see a Sun Symbol though, and good fortune that may bring. My name is Garai. Are you here for the expedition?"
Garai crouches, and looks at the small shell carefully. "I am sorry, little lady, but I don't see a beetle big or small. I do see a Sun Symbol though, and good fortune that may bring. My name is Garai. Are you here for the expedition?"
"Hmm? Expedition? Yes, yes, I suppose so. But there's a BEETLE! And it's huge and shiny and you can see the city reflected in it! And then you can buy one of these!" She raises her treasure proudly.
"Hmm? Expedition? Yes, yes, I suppose so. But there's a BEETLE! And it's huge and shiny and you can see the city reflected in it! And then you can buy one of these!" She raises her treasure proudly.
"Oh, That beetle! I am sorry little lady, I did not realise, and thought you had but a pretty shell; I understand some of your countrymen collect such items. Please, accept my humblest apologies. Yes, indeed I have seen the beetle, many times in my life, and thinking on it now, it is indeed a treasure to marvel at.
"Oh, That beetle! I am sorry little lady, I did not realise, and thought you had but a pretty shell; I understand some of your countrymen collect such items. Please, accept my humblest apologies. Yes, indeed I have seen the beetle, many times in my life, and thinking on it now, it is indeed a treasure to marvel at.
The gnome considers him for a moment. "I'm Douena. Are you from here?"
The gnome considers him for a moment. "I'm Douena. Are you from here?"
Garai pulls a chair from under the table from himself, and from one wall, a taller chair, with longer legs, and a foot rest of a height to make sitting at the human sized table comfortable for the gnome. "Well met Douena, please take a seat with me whilst we await the venerated venture captain." Taking his own seat, he continues; "I am not from the city itself, but from a small town, far from here; but I was until quite recently the guard of various merchant caravans, and that work has brought me here many times. Now I find myself taking this work in order to avenge the death of my dearest love, and to help rid this world of foul undead. I take it you hale from some far off land?"
Voices approach the meeting chamber. One of them is recognizable as the aide, while the other one is as yet unfamiliar. It is this one that seems to be leading and dominating the conversation. Although the words themselves are hard to make out, they dance within an ebullient melody; this speaker seems to be producing lyrics rather than sentences of conversation.
A halfling woman, wearing a vibrantly colored blue dress and brilliantly colored strands of beads walks in. Her fiery red hair is braided into hundreds of tiny braids, each with a colorful bead on the end. Her skin is tanned and there is a spattering of freckles across her face.
"Hello," she says cheerfully. "My name is Elysia Lyon. It's a pleasure to meet you I'm sure. I always love meeting new people. Why, just this morning I met the most fascinating woman when I bought my breakfast. She had her face constantly pursed up like she was sucking on a lemon. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. I kept watching and watching, but I couldn't figure it out. And then she kicked me. What an odd person. Oh, I brought some pastries to share. I figured there would probably be some sort of wait. There always is. I mean, what's the point of building waiting rooms if you never make people wait right?"
All of that came out in one long burst, without so much as a pause for breath. As she finishes, Elysia smiles and hands a bag filled with flaky pastries to Garai on the theory that, being human, he could actually reach the table.
As Elysia makes her breathless introduction, a slender half-elf dandy stands in the open doorway, prattling on to the aide about some leitmotif in classical Osirian drama. After a brief moment's silence, the aide nods awkwardly and quickly removes himself from the doorway. The half-elf smiles on the gathered company in the room as he moves towards the table.
"Well, hello, hello everyone! I am Kimu Zharket, thespian, jester, and historian, on sabbatical from my underfunded research and here to accompany a group--I imagine you good folk--on a journey into the desert to explore the domains of the ancient emperors. I am happy to make your acquaintances," he says, tipping the indigo hat on his head towards the group, revealing briefly a sea of black hair swept up by an intricate headband.
A halfling woman, wearing a vibrantly colored blue dress and brilliantly colored strands of beads walks in. Her fiery red hair is braided into hundreds of tiny braids, each with a colorful bead on the end. Her skin is tanned and there is a spattering of freckles across her face.
"Hello," she says cheerfully. "My name is Elysia Lyon. It's a pleasure to meet you I'm sure. I always love meeting new people. Why, just this morning I met the most fascinating woman when I bought my breakfast. She had her face constantly pursed up like she was sucking on a lemon. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. I kept watching and watching, but I couldn't figure it out. And then she kicked me. What an odd person. Oh, I brought some pastries to share. I figured there would probably be some sort of wait. There always is. I mean, what's the point of building waiting rooms if you never make people wait right?"
All of that came out in one long burst, without so much as a pause for breath. As she finishes, Elysia smiles and hands a bag filled with flaky pastries to Garai on the theory that, being human, he could actually reach the table.
"Oooh, you're shiny. Did you see the beetle?" She climbs up on the chair Garai fetched for her and waits for him to open the bag of pastries.
"Oooh, you're shiny. Did you see the beetle?" She climbs up on the chair Garai fetched for her and waits for him to open the bag of pastries.
"Why, thank you. And I have seen the beetle. I love to go and stare at it for hours and hours and hours. The way it reflects the light at different times of day is just so incredibly fascinating. It's too bad about those cheap souvenirs. They never make the cords strong enough. I've told them and told them, but they never listen and now they get really cranky if I even look at them."
Turning to Kimu, without pausing to draw breath, "I'm pleased to meet you, Kimu. I'm sure we're going to be great friends. Nice hat."
Why, another little lady!" Says Garai as he goes to crouch by Elysia. "It is very nice to make your acquaintance, I think. Thank you for the pastries, I am sure they are very tasty. Here, let us get you a chair." At this, Garai moves to the other side of the room to get another tall chair. As he goes to sit down again, and distribute the pastries, he notices the half-helf at the door and gives a grimace of distaste. "Hello Mr Zharket, my name is Garai Neferotep."
Kimu nods curtly at Garai and says, "Oh, call me Kimu, sir! Unless you would rather me call you Mister Neferotep? I'll tell you that I'd rather be on first name basis with my traveling companions!" He smiles disarmingly at Garai briefly, then turns to wink at Elysia.
"Hello, pretty lady! It's nice to make your friendship!" he exclaims. "Yes, this hat is rather nice, isn't it? It was a gift from a friend in the theater--authentic indigo-dyed calopi leather from Katapesh! I've been wearing it all the time lately. I love it." He gestures at the bag of pastries on the table. "Thanks for bringing food! Oh, I am assuming that you mean to share, but you may not, who knows? Those pastries do look delicious and I would absolutely not fault you a whit if you would rather keep their deliciousness for yourself!"
Kimu nods curtly at Garai and says, "Oh, call me Kimu! Unless you would rather me call you Mister Neferotep? I'll tell you that I'd rather be on first name basis with my traveling companions!" He smiles disarmingly at Garai briefly, then turns to wink at Elysia.
"I have found many in my life who have taken offences to the slightest slip in the decorum, friend Kimu. Sekhmet", here he looks pointedly at his staff, still taking up most of the table, "has cracked more than a few of their heads. Most of them have been dressed as your fine self.
Please though, do bring up a seat, and allay these apprehensions of mine."
"The theater! I love the theater. They do such pretty things with the lights, yes indeed. All the pretty colors brought out to play. Oh do help yourself to the pastries, indeed do. What's the point of having something delicious if you can't share it with new friends? Or old friends. Really just sharing with friends is the important bit there."
Elysia climbs deftly onto the chair as she says all this.
"Thank you so much, Garai. You're very thoughtful. I like that in a friend. So many humans don't even notice how much of a challenge things like tables and chairs can be when you're not quite three feet tall."
"Thank you so much, Garai. You're very thoughtful. I like that in a friend. So many humans don't even notice how much of a challenge things like tables and chairs can be when you're not quite three feet tall."
"You are very welcome my new little friend. At least a place such as this can be trusted to accommodate those of your stature."
The door is opened once again by the aide and in walks a towering halfling dressed in mail with the symbol of Iomedae displayed prominently on his tabard and a scarlet cloak about his shoulders.
His gaze quickly scanning the room and its inhabitants...
"Ha! Greetings. My name is Allovin Dar, a servant of our shining lady Iomedae, and a chapter member of the Pathfinders. I'm glad to see we have such a robust group of individuals for this venture."
Approaching Garai...
"Hello Sir. I believe we've met once before on a caravan across the desert. Garai Neferotep correct?"
Seeing Elysia...
"Hello Miss. It has been a long time since I've seen let alone spoken with a fellow halfling and it is certainly a pleasure to meet you." Adding a bright smile and a bow.
Turning to Douena...
"Hello madame. I'm quite pleased to meet you. It is always a blessing to travel with a follower of Desna."
Turning to Kimu...
"Hello Sir. That is a rather fine hat you have there and I'm pleased to meet you."
"I have found many in my life who have taken offences to the slightest slip in the decorum, friend Kimu. Sekhmet", here he looks pointedly at his staff, still taking up most of the table, "has cracked more than a few of their heads. Most of them have been dressed as your fine self.
Please though, do bring up a seat, and allay these apprehensions of mine."
Kimu looks puzzled at the man's words and lapses into silence for the moment, although he seats himself at the table. He looks rather suspiciously at Garai from under the brim of his hat as he helps himself to a pastry from the bag.
"Thank you for the fine treat," he says to Elysia, in a voice more subdued than a moment before. Looking away from the table, he bites into the pastry, his brows knit together in seeming consternation.
"Hello Sir. That is a rather fine hat you have there and I'm pleased to meet you."
"Ah! Hello, noble knight. Allovin, did you say? And just in time! Things were beginning to seem rather tense." Kimu delivers a pointed, unfriendly look at Garai, then pointedly ignores the man. Addressing Allovin again, he amiably observes, "And you, a servant of Iomedae, nonetheless. Quite a demanding calling, I should imagine."
"Hello Miss. It has been a long time since I've seen let alone spoken with a fellow halfling and it is certainly a pleasure to meet you." Adding a bright smile and a bow.
"Oh, you're shiny. And a follower of Iomedae. How fascinating. I hear that the followers of Iomedae are supposed to be brave. I bet you're brave too. That will come in handy, I'm sure. You never know what you're going to find when exploring. That's what makes it so dreadfully exciting. I do so love surprises. And you're very gallant too. I don't think anyone has ever bowed to me before. I bet they make you learn really good manners in order to be a knight. Oh, have a seat. Join us. It's silly to be having this conversation from across the room. Pastry?"
Approaching Garai..."Hello Sir. I believe we've met once before on a caravan across the desert. Garai Neferotep correct?"
"Indeed, I do little friend. A difficult journey that was too, I will be glad to have your sword, and you holy might by my side."
Garai ignores the fop's insult, and looking around the group asks, "Does anyone know for what we have all been gathered? I was not told much, as this is my first trip out with a Pathfinder group. I was told I would be informed at this meeting..."
Garai ignores the fop's insult, and looking around the group asks, "Does anyone know for what we have all been gathered? I was not told much, as this is my first trip out with a Pathfinder group. I was told I would be informed at this meeting..."
"I don't know why we are here myself but I suspect that Venture Captain Jalden will join use once he has been notified that all of the expected members of the expedition have arrived. So as long as none of us are particularly late he'll probably be along shortly."
"Ah! Hello, noble knight. Allovin, did you say? And just in time! Things were beginning to seem rather tense." Kimu delivers a pointed, unfriendly look at Garai, then pointedly ignores the man. Addressing Allovin again, he amiably observes, "And you, a servant of Iomedae, nonetheless. Quite a demanding calling, I should imagine."
"Demanding indeed but worth every scar and injury I've accumulated over the years."
Garai ignores the fop's insult, and looking around the group asks, "Does anyone know for what we have all been gathered? I was not told much, as this is my first trip out with a Pathfinder group. I was told I would be informed at this meeting..."
Douena brushes flaky pastry crumbs off her fingers. "We're going in a dead man's house to see what he has hidden. Maybe more beetles!"
Kimu smiles at the gnome's child-like enthusiasm. Leaning forward into the gathering of people around the table, he offers, "Yes, I was informed that we will be venturing into the desert, with our destination being an ancient tomb. There may very well be beetles, although probably not quite like the one that you've got there." The half-elf indicates Douena's souvenir. "As we all probably well know, a desert trek into the unknown ruins of bygone days may prove quite dangerous."
Kimu smiles at the gnome's child-like enthusiasm. Leaning forward into the gathering of people around the table, he offers, "Yes, I was informed that we will be venturing into the desert, with our destination being an ancient tomb. There may very well be beetles, although probably not quite like the one that you've got there." The half-elf indicates Douena's souvenir. "As we all probably well know, a desert trek into the unknown ruins of bygone days may prove quite dangerous."
"Hopefully it will give us the chance to remove some foul undeath from this world. This begins to sounds interesting. Having so many who can squeeze through small places should also be an advantage in such a place."
Noticing Douena's souvenir for the first time, "I can fix that for you. They never make the cords strong enough, no they don't. I could make you one of small strands of braided rope with pretties wound in, yes I could, in a twinkling, flash, blink. Red and orange and yellow sparklies. No, no, that wouldn't suit. Blue and purple and green. Yes, that's the right color of sparklies for you. Would you like me to do that?"
Noticing Douena's souvenir for the first time, "I can fix that for you. They never make the cords strong enough, no they don't. I could make you one of small strands of braided rope with pretties wound in, yes I could, in a twinkling, flash, blink. Red and orange and yellow sparklies. No, no, that wouldn't suit. Blue and purple and green. Yes, that's the right color of sparklies for you. Would you like me to do that?"
"Ooh, sparklies!" Douena hands over her beetle-on-a-string eagerly before turning to commisserate with Garai. "Dead things should stay dead," she agrees. "Unless we like them," she adds after a moment. "Then they should be raised."
Elysia pulls some things out of her pack and deftly transforms the simple souvenir into a work of art in a matter of minutes, twisting strong hemp cord into an intricate pattern dotted with bright glass beads. While she works she is totally oblivious to everything that goes on around her.
"Hopefully it will give us the chance to remove some foul undeath from this world. This begins to sounds interesting. Having so many who can squeeze through small places should also be an advantage in such a place."
"Yes, we have quite the gathering here." Kimu watches with fascination as Elysia works. "Deft hands, too," he says conversationally, looking over at Garai. "Such dexterity and craftsmanship might be useful for gaining access to locked-away places, as well."
Directing his attention to Elysia, he asks, "How are you with traps and locks?"
"Yes, we have quite the gathering here." Kimu watches with fascination as Elysia works. "Deft hands, too," he says conversationally, looking over at Garai. "Such dexterity and craftsmanship might be useful for gaining access to locked-away places, as well."Directing his attention to Elysia, he asks, "How are you with traps and locks?"
Garai looks briefly impressed at Kimu's line of thought, and quickly looks away. "Indeed, the rumours and tales I have heard about this kind of expedition, always have some sort of deadly device, just waiting for the unwary," looking back at Kimu, "and foolish."
"Well with a little courage, determination, and the blessing of Iomedae we should be fine. The challenges will likely be many but so are our combined talents; if we work together and keep our wits about us we shall have the depths of the tomb plumbed in no time. Besides, no cursed undead can stand up to the holy power and might of Iomedae. Our real concern will likely be with other parties of explorers. I doubt the Pathfinders are the only ones who know of the tomb and anyone else who does, I bet, will be scrambling to put together a party of explorers to get there before we do."
Allovin takes a beautiful guilded pipe and a tobacco pouch out from a small purse at his belt, prepares the pipe with tobacco, and turns to the others, "Does anyone mind if I smoke?"
"Yes, we have quite the gathering here." Kimu watches with fascination as Elysia works. "Deft hands, too," he says conversationally, looking over at Garai. "Such dexterity and craftsmanship might be useful for gaining access to locked-away places, as well."Directing his attention to Elysia, he asks, "How are you with traps and locks?"
"Huh? Oh, no, sorry, I don't know the first thing about those. I'm aces at illusion and fire, but that's pretty well it. Here you go, Douena," she says as she hands over the now lovely bauble. You notice that this is the first time since she arrived that she hasn't used a paragraph where a sentence would do.
Allovin takes a beautiful guilded pipe and a tobacco pouch out from a small purse at his belt, prepares the pipe with tobacco, and turns to the others, "Does anyone mind if I smoke?"
"Oh, I don't mind. Not at all. I love the smell of a good pipe. What kind of tobacco do you favor, good sir paladin?"
Kimu takes a delicate bite out of his pastry, and makes satisfied sounds as he chews. "Mm-mmm, these pastries really are delicious! Thank you again for sharing, Elysia. That's a nice bauble you've made for Douena. Very nice. I admire a craftsperson. Yes, I do."
["Does anyone mind if I smoke?"
As Garai nods and moves to speak, Kimu gets in first, and he scowls, and keeps his mouth closed. Turning to Elysia he says "Illusion and fire? Interesting, that could be truly helpful. I am afraid my own meager skills fall only in the arena of combat, but with Sekhmet in my hands, there are few who suffer them for long."
"Huh? Oh, no, sorry, I don't know the first thing about those. I'm aces at illusion and fire, but that's pretty well it. Here you go, Douena," she says as she hands over the now lovely bauble. You notice that this is the first time since she arrived that she hasn't used a paragraph where a sentence would do.
"Ooh, lovely!" Douena snatches her new and improved treasure from Elysia's hands. "May Desna reward you when you stand most in need of luck."
Directing his attention to Elysia, he asks, "How are you with traps and locks?"
Doena glances conspiratorially at Elysia. "They always suspect the halfling, don't they? A human, a half-elf, a gnome, and a halfling walk into a store, and who does the proprietor keep his eagle eye on? The halfling, every time!" She turns her laughing eyes to Allovin. "How about you, paladin? Any special talents at breaking and entering? Picking pockets perhaps?"
Doena glances conspiratorially at Elysia. "They always suspect the halfling, don't they? A human, a half-elf, a gnome, and a halfling walk into a store, and who does the proprietor keep his eagle eye on? The halfling, every time!" She turns her laughing eyes to Allovin. "How about you, paladin? Any special talents at breaking and entering? Picking pockets perhaps?"
Garai grins wickedly, "That is because you small races are so good at it, little lady! Or are you least impressed that he picked the [i]wrong[i] little lady?" with this he winks.
Directing his attention to Elysia, he asks, "How are you with traps and locks?"Doena glances conspiratorially at Elysia. "They always suspect the halfling, don't they? A human, a half-elf, a gnome, and a halfling walk into a store, and who does the proprietor keep his eagle eye on? The halfling, every time!" She turns her laughing eyes to Allovin. "How about you, paladin? Any special talents at breaking and entering? Picking pockets perhaps?"
"Yes they do, and it makes me so mad, mad, mad. I spent too many years working so very, very hard helping my dad at his jewelry store to ever steal someone's livelihood. But does it ever occur to the big ones that there might be an honest halfling? No, everywhere I go I'm always being watched suspiciously and asked if I'm good at stealing. Hmph."
Directing his attention to Elysia, he asks, "How are you with traps and locks?"Doena glances conspiratorially at Elysia. "They always suspect the halfling, don't they? A human, a half-elf, a gnome, and a halfling walk into a store, and who does the proprietor keep his eagle eye on? The halfling, every time!" She turns her laughing eyes to Allovin. "How about you, paladin? Any special talents at breaking and entering? Picking pockets perhaps?"
"Hahahahaha. My only talents at breaking and entering involve kicking down the door of evil doers while brandishing the law and a sword and the only pockets I've picked are those of my spare trousers trying to find a few coins to buy a snack. There are many evils in the world and prejudice is just one of them. Anyway, you should see the looks I get when shop owners realize I'm a servant of Iomedae and not some little kid playing knight."
"Oh, I don't mind. Not at all. I love the smell of a good pipe. What kind of tobacco do you favor, good sir paladin?"
"Lately it's been a fine stock of Varisian tobacco from just north of Magnimar that reminds me of home..."
With that Allovin seems to lose focus for a second and stares off into the distance revisiting old memories as he takes a long draw from his pipe and slowly lets it out.
"Oh, I don't mind. Not at all. I love the smell of a good pipe. What kind of tobacco do you favor, good sir paladin?""Lately it's been a fine stock of Varisian tobacco from just north of Magnimar that reminds me of home..."
With that Allovin seems to lose focus for a second and stares off into the distance revisiting old memories as he takes a long draw from his pipe and slowly lets it out.
"Oh, are you from Varisia? I've always wanted to go there. What's it like? I grew up here, in this city. I've never actually been anywhere else, but I love to hear the stories. I've heard of so many fascinating things. Like snow. Have you ever seen snow? It sounds like such fascinating stuff. Ice falling from the sky. It seems so strange. What else is different about Varisia? Are there deserts? Or lots of growing things?"
Elysia leans forward in fascination, her blue eyes dancing with excitement.
"Oh, are you from Varisia? I've always wanted to go there. What's it like? I grew up here, in this city. I've never actually been anywhere else, but I love to hear the stories. I've heard of so many fascinating things. Like snow. Have you ever seen snow? It sounds like such fascinating stuff. Ice falling from the sky. It seems so strange. What else is different about Varisia? Are there deserts? Or lots of growing things?"
Elysia leans forward in fascination, her blue eyes dancing with excitement.
"Haha. I'm originally from Khorvosa but my family relocated to northern Varisia a little over 15 years ago. I spent most of my time somewhere in or around Magnimar and Khorvosa while the last three years I've been here in Sothis doing odd jobs for the church of Iomedae and for the Pathfinders. I became a chapter member of the Pathfinders upon arriving in Sothis but most of my life has been spent fighting slavers in and around Khorvosa and raising money to support the people we freed."
Allovin trails off for a moment with the sound of sadness and regret on his voice as the talk of his past brings up some painful memories but quickly brightens up with a smile and adds, "But enough of that, yes I have seen snow and the forests and fields of Varisia are especially beautiful after a fresh snow fall. Perhaps I could take you there one day and show you the falls north of Magnimar after a fresh snow. The air sparkles with the morning sunlight as if the droplets of water and snow drifting on the air were diamonds." he adds with a smile.
Allovin trails off for a moment with the sound of sadness and regret on his voice as the talk of his past brings up some painful memories but quickly brightens up with a smile and adds, "But enough of that, yes I have seen snow and the forests and fields of Varisia are especially beautiful after a fresh snow fall. Perhaps I could take you there one day and show you the falls north of Magnimar after a fresh snow. The air sparkles with the morning sunlight as if the droplets of water and snow drifting on the air were diamonds." he adds with a smile.
"Oh, that would be wonderful," she sighs, utterly entranced by his description.
Garai also appears enthralled by thoughts of this other land, but as the Paladin finishes and takes another draw on his pipe, he shakes his head and gives a gruff cough, as though coming too.
"This land seems strange, and somewhat uncivilised. I personally would rather keep to the lands of my fathers. I wonder where that aide is with the drink I requested."
Kimu takes advantage of the pause in the conversation to apologize to Elysia. "I didn't mean to offend you," he explains. "I was impressed and taken by the way your hands moved with the beadwork, and then jumped to a conclusion. Please pardon my faux pas."
Garai also appears enthralled by thoughts of this other land, but as the Paladin finishes and takes another draw on his pipe, he shakes his head and gives a gruff cough, as though coming too.
"This land seems strange, and somewhat uncivilised. I personally would rather keep to the lands of my fathers. I wonder where that aide is with the drink I requested."
Douena smiles at him. "I've heard Varisians say the same thing about Osirion. Are you thirsty? I don't think I have anything in my pack but ink, and you probably shouldn't drink that."