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The half-orc has ashen skin adorned with fiery orange tattoos of flames that intertwin with burn scars along his exposed arms and legs. His hardy build isn't particularly muscular and his presence is more calming than most of his Hold-born kin. He travels light, a crimson bag over his shoulder to match his flowing pants and a belly warmer, known as a haramaki, his only protection.
Racing alongside him is a small winged dinosaur that leaves a trail of smoke behind him. Once his master has taken a cross-legged seat in the courtyard, it lands upon his shoulder and whispers something in an exotic tongue.
"Hello, my name is Rokhan of clan Kruhl. This is Baron Calderon. Meeting you is a pleasure!" he says with a air of sincerity.
As the fiery dinosaur speaks, his chest glows like a warm fire and sparks fly when he closes his mouth. Whispers of another language flit into the ear of its master.
"Wary of them, who else would take missions and errands from strangers? Do not let your light be snuffed little spark."
A dwarf hustles as fast as his legs will carry him. He grumbles as he goes, alternately cursing in common and the dwarven tongue.
Apologies...my summons got sent to the wrong inn... he says as he drops his pack and unceremoniously plops down on the grass. He grabs a flask of some strong smelling drink and takes a healthy pull.
I'm Dorgan...I reckon we're here to get the lowdown on what we're supposed to do? he says as he pulls out a cigar and sticks in his mouth. He checks his pocket for something.
Son of a motherless goat...left my matches at the inn...lovely. Umm..could I bother you for a light there, my good man? You seem to know a lot about fire... he asks the half orc.
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A young Garundi woman just leans against a tree, seemingly enjoying the shade while she looks at the group forming around. She isn't exactly attractive, looking particularly wild, maybe druidic, behind her hide armor. She clearly carries a scimitar and shield strapped to her back, and a backpack lies by her feet. There's something outworldly - or, rather, "first wordly" - about her, although it's not something easy to pinpoint.
Nice to meet you all. - she finally says, as the others introduce themselves - I'm called Halle... Just admitted to the Society, which I'm guessing is who's partnering all of us together.
She looks particularly wary of the spellcaster, although tries hard not to demonstrate. She briefly touches a wooden pendant with the holy symbol of Shelyn when she sees the dinosaur.
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Rokhan nods before asking something of his companion,
"Help our new friend, without hurting him. I can be cautious and still make allies! We are far from such dangerous lands."
then giving a tusked smile. He picks up Calderon off his shoulder and puts him on the ground.
"I will let little Calderon handle it."
The fiery dinosaur wobbles over towards the dwarf before releasing a globule of fire on the patch of grass next to him. He lets out a sound similar to a laugh before taking of and flying up to a vantage point in the courtyard.
"I just hope it involves travel. I love how we send our agents all over the world and I want to see all of it. While we are here, want to compare notes? I am a spirit bonder and can cast a few spells and use a spear, though nowhere near as well as someone trained solely in the martial arts. I can also do some healing now that the society awarded me this wand. Dorgan, I'm thinking you are one of those martially trained types, am I right?"
A messenger arrives, looks at each of you in turn as if trying to recognize you, then gives each of you a nod. With a goose feather quill, she checks names off of a list attached to a battered clipboard.
"Splendid! Please, follow me."
The young messenger says with a smile.
You are led through the Great Hall of Skyreach past a large table with a shifting illusionary map of the Inner Sea on its massive surface. Standing around the Hall are dozens of pathfinders from all corners of Golarion exchanging stories of their exploits. You are directed towards a smaller meeting room, past an ornate fountain with crystal clear water. You can feel the chill from the cascading droplets as some splash you on their decent to the pool.
The placard before the room reads, “The Pipeweed Nook”. Opening the door, you see a long oak table, plush velvet chairs, and an imposing looking man sitting before a fireplace. He taps the ashes from his mahogany pipe into his palm and then throws them onto the flames. He smiles as you approach.
“Welcome initiates,“ he says in a warm, laid-back manner. “I am pleased you could come so soon. I am Venture Captain Ambrus Valsin, and I have a task for you. Recently, an earthquake struck the city, costing countless gold in damages as you can imagine. But it also caused a sealed siege tower from one of Absalom’s many, past, would-be-conquerors, to crack open like an egg.
Word on the street is that no one has yet searched ‘the Fallen Fortress’, as the locals are calling it. However, against my commands, a young Pathfinder like yourselves, named Balenar Forsend, set off to explore the ruins alone. Now he is missing.
While I applaud Balenar’s intentions by going off against my words, he has violated the Pathfinder Oath; to explore, cooperate, and report. Hopefully he is still alive to fulfill the last part of that oath.”
He clears his throat and stands, handing over a map of the Cairnlands marked with the location of this ‘Fallen Fortress’.
“Don’t forget, initiates. During your explorations, keep your eyes peeled for anything that could be of interest to the society, especially historical or religious artifacts. Be sure to pick up any equipment you think you might need before heading out.”
Valsin stands and politely, yet hurriedly, ushers you toward the door.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Oh, and one more thing, initiates..."
He says sincerely before closing the door behind you,
"Good luck."
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Rahu's eyes light up at the mention of ancient ruins and old artifacts. He turns to the rest of the group:
"I was right! As a specialist in salvage and exploration of ancient sites, I'm a natural choice for such an expedition. There's bound to be some tight spaces inside this 'Fallen Fortress' that you'll need me to squeeze into."
The door cracks back open a bit and Valsin peeks out, a slightly annoyed look on his face.
"I don't know. It has stood there for hundreds if not thousands of years. Seemingly abandoned. Until it recently cracked open from the earthquake. Maybe you'll find out for yourselves, though, hmm?"
He flashes a wink, encouraging you to be on your way before closing the door.
Aye...that I am...Walks with Giants. Would you mind if we called you Walker? It;s a lot quicker to say in battle...no disrespect to your name, of course. the axeman says as he grabs his pack and makes sure he has everything ne might need.
Where would one go to get a decent cigar around here, sir? I imagine with your pipe there you'd know whee to get the good stuff. The ones I have are a bit on the old and tasteless side... he asks Valsin, as he counts what's left of his stash.
Before ushering you out, Valsin cocks an eyebrow at Dorgan's query. He reaches for a small cigar box on the side table and hands it to the dwarf.
"Nice to see a chap who appreciates a good smoke. Take these. Notes of peat and coffee. They were included in a shipment of contraband some of our agents seized from the Aspis Consortium in the Mwangi Expanse. A nice little prize, you could say."
Before making the trek to The Fallen Fortress, a couple of you decide to pick up some items from Ye Olde Adventurer's Supply store at the Grand Lodge. While browsing the wares, a seasoned explorer and Pathfinder shyly approaches Rahu and Halle. Several scrolls of various materials (sheepskin, papyrus, thin metallic sheets, scaled skin, etc...) protrude from his pockets, some folded haphazardly and others loosely rolled but crushed.
"Hello! I, uhh, couldn't help to overhear that you were on your way to The Fallen Fortress. First mission, huh?"
He gives Rahu a nudge with his elbow and flashes a friendly smile.
"Excellent. Oh! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Artemis. An archaeologist and information broker of the Society."
He looks down and searches with his eyes at the front of his jacket covered in all sorts of regalia.
"Ahh! There it is!"
He taps on an ornate wayfinder dangling from a silver pin, the symbol of the Grand Lodge etched on the lid. He then looks back up at Rahu with a grin.
"I heard they were choosing some fresh initiates to go there. Good for you!"
He gives you a hearty pat on the shoulder then leans in close to speak quietly.
"That siege castle has stood in the Cairnlands for hundreds or possibly thousands of years, magically sealed after the death, or whatever," He says rolling his eyes and then continues,
"of its forgotten master. But recently, that minor earthquake rocked the land, accomplishing in moments what dozens of scholars, sages, and adventurers could not achieve in years—the quake caused part of the siege castle to collapse, opening its interior for the first time in centuries."
Artemis gives a grin of approval as he looks you up and down.
"And you lot got chosen to discover what secrets lie within!”
He shakes his head in disbelief, yet a bit of joy shows on his face.
"Go make us old Pathfinders proud."
Artemis turns and grabs an old and dented Osiriani brass oil lamp for sale off the shelf and approaches the counter.
"Shopkeep! How much for this!?!"
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Rahu thinks aloud, not quite speaking directly to the rest of the party:
"The archaeologist raises a pertinent issue. Presumably novice Pathfinders were chosen for this assignment because there can be no great threats within a ruin that has been sealed for so long. Well, except for traps, unstable ground, or maybe some cursed artifact. Most likely one of the former is what has prevented our colleague from returning in a timely manner.
I must remind the others to be careful not to touch anything that appears untowards"
Why, thank you! When we get back, we'll have a peaceable smoke and a drink or ten of the good stuff... Dorgan says as he packs away the cigars carefully.
He heads out with the others.
Might also be undead...skeletons and the like...grab a blunt weapon...I have my morningstar. Better safe than sorry, right? the dwarf says as he pays his skullcracker.
You find that the directions on the map are incredibly easy to follow. After an uneventful three hour journey into the Cairnlands, you crest a rock-strewn knoll and can see a tower, nearly 80 feet tall and about 200 yards in the distance to the west, obscured from the wind blowing dust and grit through the area. The late morning sun hangs in the sky behind you, slightly dimmed in the brown, dusty air.
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Through the journey, Halle interacts in conversations with the others.
Of course, our colleague may also have gotten out... With something of value, and then fled before one could find out. - says Halle, not really someone that trusts easily - Regardless, I agree with you all. We should be ready for the regular traps or large rats or insects, but even things like curses or the undead may roam those halls. I'm hoping we're simply being overly cautious.
As they arrive, she can't hide being impressed with the tower. As part of the Scarab Sages - and even particularly - the secrets of the past are her driving factor for having joined the Society.
Well... Here we are. Shall we, gentlemen? - she says, pulling a piece of cloth over her mouth and nose to avoid the dust.
As she does it, her teeth seems to elongate and sharpen, and some sort of sting grows as well. Her appearance doesn't become simply bestial, but it's the kind of features you'd see in some fey.
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Rahu's eyes are glued to the fortress as soon as it appears on the horizon. "It occurs to me I should have brought a sketchbook, to better capture the fortress interior once we arrive."
Scanning the ground as the group approaches closer, he says to no one in particular as he walks, "Alas, it seems there's no sign of our quarry yet."
Suddenly, Rahu stops short, his eyes focused on a patch of grass with some broken stems. "Perhaps I spoke too soon. Could this be the trail we're looking for?"
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Walks with Giants is somewhat quiet on the trip, though he obviously enjoys the chatter going on around him and smiles or nods when appropriate, showing his interest.
Walks also scans around for signs of human encroachment, tough any encroachment would also be noted.
"That is curious, is it not. Looks to be headed into the woods. Shall we follow it?"
With the wind blowing across the Cairnlands and occasionally whipping up into strong gusts that would cause the sand and dirt to obscure any tracks within minutes, Rahu and Walks-with-Giants believe they found some tracks matching human sized bootprints walking with an unusual sideways gait, or maybe a limp. They cup their hands above their eyes to help keep out the blowing sand as they peer into the distance at the forest covering the lower reaches of the Kortos Mountains on the horizon far to the north. Looking back down at the tracks, they follow them. If any of you tag along, after about 20 minutes, the group comes to an area covered with a few gnarled brown plants barely clinging to life in the harsh, rocky environment. Suddenly, a sidewinder rattler, startled by the trespassers, darts out of the scrub and quickly sidewinds away from the group. Noticing its tracks in the loose sand, you realize the snake left tracks that could be mistaken as strange bootprints. Scoffing in disappointment and berating the "trackers", it's only a 15 minute hustle back to the top of the rocky knoll where you began. The tower still looms to the west.
I think we go straight for the tower...the simplest way usually works best...Dorgan says as he tries his skill at tracking.
After a thorough search of the area around him, Dorgan does not find any tracks on the ground leading to the tower. He definitely knows the blowing sand and grit would remove any tracks on the hard ground rather quickly.
Staring at the imposing structure for a moment and realizing there's nothing else out here in this barren place, you all decide to head towards the tower. You approach cautiously.
The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls. The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing that faces you has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse. At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.
No worries, Rahu. As long as you can smack things around, your tracking skill won't be a problem. I was just taught enough to not get lost...dwarven caves can be bewildering at times... the warrior says as he loads his crossbow, in case it's needed. He grabs his axe and looks for anything on the outside of the tower.
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Rokhan remains quiet during the trip, taking in the landscape and watching for threats. He lets out a chuckle as Calderon scolds him after getting sidetracked.
"It is certainly in disrepair, we should also be cautious of the entire thing coming down. Calderon can look ahead if we wish? Can't you?" he suggests to the group and asks of his familiar.
Rahu, Walks With Giants, Rokhan and his fiery dino, head down the hill towards the tower. Dorgan and Halle trail not far behind.
As you get closer to the pile of rubble covering the area in front of the tower, you notice three dire chihuahuas wild dogs sniffing about at the base of the tower. Noticing your approach, they snarl menacingly then move to attack, their barking reverberating across the Cairnlands.
BARK, BARK, BARK!!!
BARK, BARK!!!
BARK, BARK, BARK!!!
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Halle moves as far as she can forward, and as she walks she changes - her eyes seems to take a deeper reflection, her skin hardens, and her own silhouette seems blurry.
Scimitar and shield in hands, the garundi looks even more fey than before, despite the subtleness of the changes. She adopts her more defensive stance to wait for the dogs, getting ready to fight them if needed.
Rahu spins his exotic rope dart and Halle shifts form as they move slowly forward through the layer of broken masonry and rubble. With weapons at the ready, they wait for the vicious dogs to come to them.
The dogs, appearing ravenous with hunger, descend upon Halle. The red dog gets within striking distance of Rahu's rope dart. The dog yelps in pain but still continues its attack.
The pack chomps and bites at her ferociously.
Two of the dogs rip and tear at Halle's arm and leg, doing a bit of damage.
Rahu:
Halle: -7 hp
Red Dog: -4 hp.
Blue Dog:
Yellow Dog:
Dorgan:
WwG:
Rokhan:
Calderon:
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Dorgan hustles forward, axe at the ready.
Any body speak Dog? he asks, still puffing on the cheap cigar.
An orb of fiery spittle is launched from the creatures mouth at the same red collared dog.
Dorgan moves up, carefully picking his way through the rubble. Rokhan flings an acid bolt that skims past the dwarf's head. The bolt lands squarely on the dog's flank and begins to dissolve flesh and muscle, emitting an acrid stench as the dog howls in severe pain, then falls dead at Halle's feet.
The fire dino's ball of flame dissipates into smoke as it flies past the hungry pack.
Rahu:
Halle: -5 hp
Red Dog
Blue Dog:
Yellow Dog:
Dorgan:
WwG:
Rokhan:
Calderon:
Walks With Giants moves forward. One dog lays dead as acid sizzles its remains while the other two continue their assault on Halle.
Rahu:
Halle: -5 hp
Red Dog:
Blue Dog:
Yellow Dog:
Dorgan:
WwG:
Rokhan:
Calderon: