The Blakros family, long an ally of the Pathfinder Society, has come into possession of a manor house in the imperial nation of Cheliax, where a once prominent noble family was known to practice diabolism before the Age of Lost Omens. The Pathfinders' task is simple: clear the abandoned manor of any remaining threats before the Blakroses move in. Unfortunately, the estate hasn't sat empty as long as the Blakroses think it has, and its recent inhabitants were anything but the devil-worshipers who originally built the manor.
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In the halls of Skyreach, Venture-Captain Ambrus Valsin's familiar voice gathers the attention of the assembled Pathfinders. "Pathfinders, please may I introduce to you Hamaria Blakros, who some of you may have met previously. Madame Blakros is the head of the powerful Blakros family, valuable allies of the Pathfinder Society. She will brief on your next mission."
The regally dressed noblewoman looks over the assembled party, her piercing eyes seeming to notice every detail, then speaks. "Greetings, Pathfinders. Recently, my daughter Michellia married the Hellknight Damian Kastner, and as is customary when one marries into the Blakros family, he provided a dowry in exchange for being honored with our illustrious name. Damian's gift took the form of his ancestral home, an estate called Ostergarde in north-central Cheliax."
"Ostergarde has sat empty for some time, deserted by the Kastners after the Thrune regime came to control Cheliax and the family moved to the new capital Egorian. I am a cautious woman, and I’d prefer to have a third party explore the manor before I or any of my family take up residence there."
Hamaria snaps her fingers and servants bring several tomes to her side. "These books all make some mention of Ostergarde or the Kastners, and may contain useful information. While the Chelish government takes great care in rewriting history to suit its current politics, these tomes have been in our family since before the rise of House Thrune, so I am confident their contents have not been altered. Consider them a donation to the Pathfinders’ great library - a down payment for the deal I brokered with your venture-captain. I suppose he can fill you in on the details from here. It was a pleasure to meet you." Without further ado, Hamaria takes her leave.
Valsin then claims the room’s attention again. "Pathfinders, you are to journey to Ostergarde and rid its halls of any squatting denizens, traps, or forgotten devils. In return, you are free to plunder its contents. Hopefully, everything you need to know about Ostergarde can be found within these books. I don't need to remind you how important it is to maintain our good relationship with the Blakros family, so don’t screw things up. Stick to the mission, and don’t wreck the place." Softening his stance, Valsin finally adds, "Be careful, Ostergarde is not a kind place," before hurrying away to attend to the next crisis.
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Some of you might of course already know something of Ostergarde...but if not, surely the books offered up by Hamaria will contain some useful information?
It was an open secret that when occupied, Ostergarde was a nexus for devil worship, and because of its reputation, most travelers leave the abandoned manor alone even though it sits near a highly travelled mountain pass between Kintargo and the rest of Cheliax.
Before Queen Abrogail I of House Thrune ventured into the Barrowood, she visited Ostergarde to bolster her knowledge on infernal contracts. It is believed she used this knowledge in her infamous infernal bargain within the Barrowood, which led to her house’s victory in the Chelish Civil War.
A sprawling dungeon complex exists under the manor, accessible only through secret entrances. A gateway to Hell is believed to rest somewhere beneath Ostergarde’s abandoned halls.
One must enter Ostergarde with an escort of Kastner blood, or speak aloud the following devotion to Asmodeus: “O, cleansing fires of the Prince of Darkness, wash me in your burning might. Purify me as I enter your house of cloven hooves.” Anyone who fails to do so incurs the wrath of Ostergarde’s eternal defenders.
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The tawny furred amurrun wears his wooden tiger mask today, as he listens to Ambrus and the Blakros matriarch. The other three wooden masks clatter against his armor as they hang from his bandolier and his weapons, which have increased in number since any of you last partnered with the warrior, jangle and clank as Onye steps forward to survey the tomes arrayed before them. "We shall do our best to ensure wrecking occurs to the place itself," he assures the Venture-Captain as Ambrus hurries away.
He begins flipping through the old books.
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”Good to see you again Onye. Are you catfolk switching spots?!?“
m
Djahan begins his research but looks at Aurora first.
”Do not see it as a mercenary mission but an opportunity to grow. Irori wants us to appreciate knowledge! And my view is that economic stability and personal financial freedom are prerequisites to be able to invest in the path to enlightenment! This mission provides the possibility to learn and earn!“
He concludes his analysis.
”I was able to deduce some information. It was an open secret that when occupied, Ostergarde was a nexus for devil worship, and because of its reputation, most travelers leave the abandoned manor alone even though it sits near a highly travelled mountain pass between Kintargo and the rest of Cheliax.
Before Queen Abrogail I of House Thrune ventured into the Barrowood, she visited Ostergarde to bolster her knowledge on infernal contracts. It is believed she used this knowledge in her infamous infernal bargain within the Barrowood, which led to her house’s victory in the Chelish Civil War. But I’m sure there’s more to this mansion!“
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These ones again? The kobold wonders if his reports are even read by those in charge. They all am try to kill themselves. Why am they going to get a chance to try again?
As Djahan disseminates what he knows, Demm flips through the pages of the book. Mainly he is looking for any long-hidden spells or magic. "Devils am dangerous. Maybe you am all best finding weapons to pierce their infernal skin." And maybe Djahanruuh am bring us to consort with his parents or clutchmates. He am deserves close watching.
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"Hello again, Demm tad-draguni and Djahan-with-Flesh." Aurora looks up from her book and smiles.
"Your religious beliefs are most curious, Djahan-with-Flesh. You say you need money to be free? Freedom is the knowledge that one serves a higher purpose. With such knowledge, one cannot be constrained by lesser beings. Money is a worldly trifle."
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Djahan raises an eyebrow after Auroras statement.
“Well, I think you haven’t checked the prices for a simple book? Of course you are right that some are able to gain knowledge without worldly means. But for the masses a basic level of financial stability is essential to be able to send children to school and also invest time to walk the path to perfection!!“
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"Maybe Onye and Tsamara are two-in-one like Shimye-Magalla?" he says in a serious tone but with a twinkle of amusement in his golden eyes under the mask. "One who destroys the evil and the other who protects you from it. Maybe if you see us both at the same time, the spirits of creation foresee you encountering great danger." The tip of his tails flicks restlessly.
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Taking a few moments to flip through the tomes as well, he finds much the same information as Djahan has just relayed to the group.
"Ah, it's good to see familiar faces at a mission briefing! I like to meet new people, certainly, but when heading off to a long abandoned, possibly devil-infested estate it's much more encouraging to have those you know at your side!"
You cannot make an untrained Knowledge check with a DC higher than 10. If you have access to an extensive library that covers a specific skill, this limit is removed. The time to make checks using a library, however, increases to 1d4 hours. Particularly complete libraries might even grant a bonus on Knowledge checks in the fields that they cover.
Though a bit flummoxed at the abrupt departure of both Valsin and Hamaria Blakros, you take the details of your newest assignment in stride and dutifully take the time to pore through the tomes offered for perusal. With these on top of knowledge some of you already posses, you piece together some additional bits about Ostergarde that might prove useful.
Demm tad-dragumi also offers some useful information about devils that he recalls from his studies; namely that such creatures tend to posses immunity to both fire and poison as well as resistance to acid and cold effects. He also recalls that many of them are resilient against weapons, except those forged of silver or blessed by a goodly power.
With this knowledge in hand, you make your preparations and then set out on the long journey from Absalom to Cheliax...
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The journey is long as you leave Absalom and travel through Cheliax to Ostergarde, but mostly uneventful. However, as you finally draw near to your destination you find yourselves under barrage by a raging storm that seems to follow you through the countryside. The temperatures are quite chilly, not helped by the pouring rain and high winds. All in all, it makes for a miserable trek.
But finally, you see it - lightning slashes through the overcast sky, highlighting a darkened manor that stands defiantly upon a jagged bluff. A torrent of rain floods the trail, and thunderous cracks accompany each electrified stroke. In the distance, the trail ends abruptly at the front door of the lonely manor house - the only shelter in sight among the sharp hills and barren trees that dot the landscape.
Well, maybe not the only shelter. You do spot what looks like a modest stable as well, with a broken wagon sitting outside. On the stable's outer eastern wall, a narrow staircase rises up to what seems to be some sort of second level.
Rain: Rain reduces visibility ranges by half, resulting in a –4 penalty on Perception checks. It has the same effect on flames, ranged weapon attacks, and Perception checks as severe wind.
Severe Wind: In addition to automatically extinguishing any unprotected flames, winds of this magnitude cause protected flames (such as those of lanterns) to dance wildly and have a 50% chance of extinguishing these lights. Ranged weapon attacks and Perception checks are at a –4 penalty. This is the velocity of wind produced by a Gust of Wind spell.
Cold: Between 0° and 40° Fahrenheit (-17° and 4° Celsius) during the day, 10 to 20 degrees colder at night.
You notice the tracks of several large felines intermixed with stranger tracks that resemble elongated, thin humanoid footprints.
Looks like the feline footprints might be those of howlers, heading towards the stable.
The elongated footprints resemble those of a babau demon, heading towards the manor.
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Unable to help with the books, Data draws his trusty bow and sets out with his companions…as their long journey takes them near Ostergarde, he heads towards the stable, trying to see through the whipping wind and rain…
…until he notices tracks…
His circuitry lights up momentarily before he says, ”Feline tracks…large ones…and they are mixed in with some stranger tracks…kind of like elongated, thin humanoid footprints…”
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Onye's feline fur is soaked and matted, and his ears droop as he endures the relentless storm. He holds his hand above his mask to shield his eyes as he squats down to examine what the sharp-eyed android points out.
"Not feline," Onye corrects Data. "Howlers. Large devil beasts. Babau, too. Devils born from the souls of murderers. The stories prove accurate."
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Having been advised of the situation by his rather more perceptive comrades, the fighter draws forth his longspear and assumes a defensive posture.
He's not sure how much good it'll do to keep a lookout in the lashing rain and whipping wind, but he does peer out into the storm in search of any... unnatural shapes moving about between the strokes of lightning.
In spite of the driving rain and howling winds, Data is able to point out a mixture of tracks near the broken wagon and Onye and Djahan are able to confirm that most belong to creatures known as howlers while a singular set are surely those of a babau demon.
Now on high alert, some of you protect yourselves with magic as you try to decide what to do next.
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"If I leave my expensive, combat-trained horse tethered outside the manor and that howler comes out and eats it, you're buying me a replacement mount little friend" Aurora pouts.
"Besides, who's going to carry all the ancient arcane artifacts we recover if the burden beast is dead?"
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"Father always preached that one should secure one's back before advancing forward, thus I'm inclined to see the stables secured as well aside from the practicality of sheltering Aurora's steed. Who knows what could be hiding out there waiting to follow us into the manor? We'd be in trouble if we were pinned between two groups of... whatever fiends these are."
Suddenly, out of thin air something starts to materialize.
A phantom in incorporeal form appears which looks like the ghostly apparition of a young boy!
”Oh come on!! Not these guys again! Ehh ... wasn't the catfolk female last time? I was just playing!!! Why am I here?! And you … “ the apparition says with a grin, ”… you are coming to term with me as it seems!!!!“ the phantom shouts pointing at Djahan!
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Djahan does not seem frightened or surprised this time but only nods slowly.
"Yes, dear phantom that seems to be a reflection of my younger years. I have called you this time as we need your assistance!" Djahan says and he explains their missionand that Felix and Data also would rather like to see the stables investigated than move on.
The small phantom clearly seems surprised but claps its hands.
"Well, as child labor and endangering youths seems to mean nothing to you I can also check if I find any friends in the stables! Right? So let us check it ouuuuutt!" the phantom says with a funny tone.
Its incorporeal form starts to move to the stables and enters the walls to look inside. It moves through the room and then returns back to report what it was able to see in its 18 second sweep.
With mostly everyone in agreement on securing the stables first, Djahan conjures one of his phantoms and sends it to have a look inside.
The stable’s eight box stalls lie mostly empty but the phantom does notice what looks like a silver pommel cover from an ornate saddle that's been knocked into the dirt, as though by accident. There's also a large pile of relatively fresh hay in the hay storage area, which is odd considering this place has supposedly been abandoned for years.
The phantom also notes that there doesn't seem to be any way for the group or itself to reach the upper level of the stables save for taking the outside stairs.
Quick sweep complete, the phantom turns to head back outside...when suddenly the air is split by a loud, grating howl! Then, the nearby hay pile rustles as the large cat-like creature that had been hiding inside stands up! Wicked ebony quills run from its head, tail, and back.
Several seconds pass...and suddenly the air is split by a loud, grating howl that can be heard even over the noise of the rain and wind! Sounds like it came from inside the stable!
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Djahan
Phantom
Onye
Data
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Howler
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Felix
Demm
Aurora
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Rain (-4 to Perception & Ranged Attacks) & Severe Wind (-4 to Perception & Ranged Attacks)
Djahan & Phantom, Onye and Data are UP!
The small phantom 5 ft steps towards Djahan and concentrates to show its uncanny aura!!
”Fear my little body!!! Ohhhhoooo!!!“
Djahan and Onye realize that the howl must (sensibly) belong to the howler whose tracks you discovered moments earlier but in the moment neither can recall any useful information about dealing with them. The catfolk prepares to defend himself.
Inside the stables Djahan's phantom attempts to spook the creature standing before it with menacing words and a creepy aura...but the howler either doesn't understand or is too stupid for such tactics to have any effect; the phantom isn't quite sure which it is.
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Djahan
Phantom
Onye
Data
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Howler
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Felix
Demm
Aurora
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Rain (-4 to Perception & Ranged Attacks) & Severe Wind (-4 to Perception & Ranged Attacks)
Data is UP!
Unfazed by the howler's howl, Data moves closer to the stables; he can see the enormous, barbed creature standing in the hay through the nearby doorway. He takes aim and fires, but the elements conspire to thwart what otherwise would've been a clean shot.
The howler emerges out of the hay and attempts to bite down on what *looks* like a small child...
...but seems surprised when what surely should have been a bite to the throat simply passes through the child as though they weren't even there. The howler howls again...and everyone feels a chill when the howl is answered from somewhere very close by as two more howlers come lumbering into sight!
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Djahan
Phantom
Onye
Data
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Red Howler
Blue Howler
Orange Howler
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Felix
Demm
Aurora
Active Conditions: None
Environmental Conditions: Rain (-4 to Perception & Ranged Attacks) & Severe Wind (-4 to Perception & Ranged Attacks)
Felix, Demm, Aurora are UP at the bottom of Round 1 and Djahan & Phantom, Onye, Data are UP at the top of Round 2!