The basement of the Grand Lodge is completely silent, other than the echoing footsteps of a few over-eager scholars. The note was simple, “Meet me in storage room 34c at dawn. Bring coffee.” At the end of a long hallway, a door stands ajar and the smell of sulfur, saltpeter, and other chemicals wafts from it. Venture Captain Michael Schwartz peers out from behind a maddeningly intricate series of glass tubes and beakers, and wipes a bit of soot off his face. “Ah, good, good, glad you all managed to find my ‘office’. Sorry for the mess, I’m in the middle of prepping extracts.” His gravelly voice echoes down the empty hallway. He motions for you to approach before continuing. “Tell me, how many of you have heard of a town called Kassen?” Without waiting for an answer, he emerges from behind the alchemy lab, holding a stack of parchment. “Apparently it’s a minor village in northern Nirmathas, purely agrarian, mostly isolated, and completely uninteresting.” He grins. “Except, of course, for the one thing that’s interesting about it.”
“The town is less than two days travel from the resting place of the hero Kassen, a crypt that no one outside the village has set foot in since its creation. The locals call it the Crypt of the Everflame, named for a unique magical flame that was lit to honor the fallen hero. During the harvest they often send their best and brightest, in this case you, to retrieve the flame as a sort of coming of age ceremony.” He shrugs and cracks a smile. “Maybe they think it makes the crops grow bigger, I don’t know, and the Society doesn’t particularly care.”
“The flame is ultimately irrelevant, it just provides us with an in. Three months ago, one of our contacts reported seeing a small band of heavily armed individuals passing through the town, heading in the direction of the crypt. They’re what the Society cares about.”
“Your mission is to go to Kassen, participate in their ceremony, and enter the crypt. Once there, make note of anything historically significant, discover what the grave robbers were after, and retrieve the flame. It should go without saying, but avoid damaging the crypt or offending the locals, we’re guests in Kassen, and would like to be invited back in the future. Remember, the most important thing is to watch each others’ backs, and get out alive. The boat leaves in six hours, but do you have any questions?”
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Savannah Kurgess strides down the hallway of the Grand Lodge proudly, steps long and confident. She has light brown skin, and wears her thick, wavy, black hair tied in a braid. She wears simple clothes, comfortable and colourful, which leave her strong arms and back exposed, showcasing her athletic physique and a massive tattoo upon her back of Kurgess' holy symbol--a flexed arm holding a broken chain.
Holding a coffee pot in one hand and eight coffee cups stacked in the other, she pushes her way through the door into storage room 34C.
"Good morning, team!" she exclaims enthusiastically as she enters the smelly, cluttered room. "Good morning, Venture Captain Schwartz! If I can just squish in... here." She finds a patch of table to place down the coffee pot and cups. "There! Perfect!"
Savannah pours the coffee into the cups, passing the first one to her Venture Captain and the next bunch to her fellow Pathfinders, finally taking the last cup for herself.
"What have you got for us today, sir?"
Savannah stands with her coffee cup in one hand and her other hand on her hip, legs shoulder length apart, and back straight. She listens carefully to Schwartz's mission details, with a wide smile on her face.
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"A hero's tomb!" Savannah exclaims. "Sounds like a challenge! Wonderful!"
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"Hmmm... These armoured fellows could certainly increase the difficulty of our task. Still, nothing we can't handle! Together, as a Team, we surely will come out Victors!"
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"Yes, sir!" Savannah exclaims as the mission briefing comes to an end. Then she gulps downs the rest of her cup of coffee, slams the cup down on the table and announces: "Kurgess will bless our endeavours! I can feel it!"
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Chorlo pulls out his lantern as the group descents on the lower office, not really needing the extra light as his Elven Heritage allows him to see in the dim light but being a member of the Lamp Lighters having his signature item out might be help full.
"Greetings VC, how may we be of assistance?" After listening to the story and pondering what is being asked. "So we are to find out why these people entered the Crypt? I am going to have to pick some things up before we go then."
Chorlo drinks his coffee with less enthusiasm but once finished he waits for the others to ask some questions before departing.
Lucas walks in sluggishly in a half daze due to being up by Dawn to make it to this meeting.
"Good morning everyone."
Looking around the room spotting Savannah with the coffee.
"You brought coffee your my savior just what I needed not much of a morning person."
Seeing the coffee perks up his spirit a bit as he downs the cup in seconds.
"So that's all you want us to do that doesn't seem to bad this shouldn't be too bad."
Starting to get a little jittery, and hyper by the end of the second cup of coffee.
So what you guys doing till tomorrow morning?
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"Tomorrow morning?" Savannah asks with a raised eyebrow. "Travelling, of course! The boat leaves in six hours!"
"But what to do until then? Ahhh! That's a question! A solid stretch, to start, plenty of water. Calisthenics... Maybe some weight training. I could use a wrestling partner if you're willing, Lucas. Nothing improves team bonding more than some good old fashion sweat and exertion!"
Savannah seems to think that filling the hours until the ship leaves with exercises is a capital idea.
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"Is it the motion or the water itself you don't like? Cause I know some great deep breathing exercises that'll perk you right up."
"Either way, I wouldn't worry about it too much, Morthak." Savannah says with a smile. "We'll be together. And with a dependable team alongside you, you can accomplish anything! Right, team?" She looks to her fellow Pathfinders for encouragement.
"It's the truth."
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A strangely muscular Halfling catches up with the group, nodding at his friends Chorlo and Morthak, noting new faces, he says: Fresh meat eh? Hmmph, I’m Eddie, I’m the muscle. He extends a hand out to greet the new faces. Upon taking his hand you feel he actually is rather strong especially for his size.
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"Muscle?" Savannah confirms with a smile. "Wonderful! I look forward to striving to greater heights alongside you, Eddie! I'm Savannah, a devotee of the Strong Man, Kurgess himself!" She shakes his hand heartily and--noticing that they seem evenly matched--her smile widens.
She offers him a cup of coffee. "Care for a cup before Lucas drinks it all?"
I bet you this guy could beat me in a fight no problem, it's nice to meet you Eddie.
Giving him a friendly smile.
You know what we got this WHOOOOO!!!!!
Lucas said enthusiastic throwing his arm up into the air, getting excited about this trip with his new friends and a big smile on his face.
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"I've got everything I need," Savannah replies. "See you on the docks in five and a half hours, Chorlo."
To the others she announces. "I'm going to the training room. Plenty of time for a workout before we go. Anyone who'd like to join me is welcome to. Nothing improves team bonding more than some good old fashioned sweat and exertion!"
To Venture Captain Schwartz she asks, "Shall I leave you the rest of the pot, Sir?"
With a nod to each of her fellow Pathfinders, Savannah turns and leaves the basement, heading off to the training room, as promised.
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Many hours later Savannah arrives at the appropriate dock, half an hour early and brimming with enthusiasm!
"Wonderful to see you," she exclaims happily each time one of her comrades arrives, offering them another hand shake and a pat on the shoulder as they board the boat.
The VC adds before you leave"
"The town has assured us that the crypt is completely abandoned, and has been for centuries. Which means you can expect it to be anything but. Prepare for undead; holy water, holy weapon balm, and positive energy should be order of the day. I’d also prepare for swarms and traps. You should probably know a bit about the history. Ekat Kassen was a fairly successful mercenary working for Lastwall. When he got old, he got into politics, and founded a city in the middle of the Fangwood. Kassen’s Hold, as is became known was successful for years, before an old comrade of Kassen’s, a man named Asar, raised an army against him. The two fought for years, before finally killing each other. Later today, a boat will take you into Tamran. From there a river skiff is going to skirt the banks of Lake Encarthan, and head up the Tourondel River. It should take at least a week to arrive.”
You travel to Kassen, where you are provided with simple but adequate food and sleeping place.
The next day, it is time for the ceremony. The bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll their midday song, echoing throughout the quiet town of Kassen. As the peals begin to fade, the first of the townsfolk make their way into the square, dressed in black, as if attending a funeral. They slowly fill the square, moving quietly across the cold, hard ground, their eyes downcast and mournful. A!er a few moments, a murmur passes through the crowd as it slowly parts to let Mayor Uptal through. He leads the way with a tarnished silver lantern. Behind him, an old pony drags a cart laden with backpacks and supplies.
Once he reaches the center of the crowd, Mayor Uptal stops and calls out to the assembled townsfolk. “Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community safe for another winter?”
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Savannah prepares herself for the ceremony, ensuring all of her gear and equipment is well packed, and well maintained. She eats a hearty breakfast, and goes through a moderate morning workout, being sure to invite all of her fellow Pathfinders to join her.
"A team that sweats together, thrives together!" she informs them enthusiastically. "Who's with me?"
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As the bells atop the Temple of Erastil toll for midday Savannah enters the town square alongside her fellow Pathfinders, ready and prepared to volunteer for the trip out to Kassen's Tomb.
As the Mayor asks for volunteers, Savannah raises her hand immediately.
"I will venture forth to Kassen's Tomb!" Savannah proclaims proudly. "I will retrieve the flame to keep your community safe!"
Savannah steps forth out of the crowd, and kneels at the feet of Mayor Uptal. "It would be an honour."
Lacus rolls out of bed at the last possible moment instantly regretting it.
Im'a miss you bed hope to see you soon
Grabs a quick bit to eat, an following Savannah from behind lazily and sluggish. After Savannah volunteers us for the venture Lucas raises his fist in the air to show his support.
The mayor nods to you, and hands you a lantern to bring the fire back to Kassen. He then hands each of you a backpack that contains 5 days’ worth of rations, a small tent, a winter blanket, a full waterskin, and a piece of a map. In addition, your party is given 50 feet of hempen rope, a box containing tinder and three tindertwigs, a labeled potion of cure light wounds, three torches, a grappling hook, and a small bottle of local brandy.
The mayor once again speaks to the townsfolk. "I present to you the brave heroes who will follow in Kassen’s footsteps to retrieve the Everflame! Some of them may not return, but I say to you that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Go, brave heroes, and do not return until you have the eternal fire." With that, the mayor points to the south, the direction of Kassen’s tomb. The townsfolk begin waving goodbye with cold, solemn looks on most of their faces.
Once handed than backpack Lucas rummages through the bag, seeing the Brandy in the bag puts a smile on his face.
Hey if you guys don't want your Brandy I'd be more then happy to take it off your hands
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Savannah accepts her bag with a solemn nod if her head. She then leads the group outside town towards the tomb, following proper tradition. Once they're out if sight she smiles widely and places her hands on her hips.
"Alright, team, it's game time! Remember our mission, and let's strive for perfection. With some hard work, and teamwork, we'll pull through in no time!"
Seeing Lucas' excitement at the alcohol, Savannah ensures he stays away from her bag. "Alcohol is a poison for the body and the mind," she remarks. "I never drink on mission. You really shouldn't either."
Still, Savannah makes no move to stop Lucas from drinking if he wants and she seems in good spirits.
"Just take it easy, hey? We're a team, and we need to all be in top form for us to succeed. "
"Are we prepared to head out?" she asks her companions.
As they turn to leave, Savannah exclaims with great enthusiasm. "Eyes open, team. Let's do this!"
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Eddie accepts his bag, checks the contents, and follows Savannah. Hmm, cant be that tough, besides you hit hard enough, it will fall. Eddie pats the end of his hammer and gives chorlo a grin.
What do you say lamp man? Want to take the lead? Seeing as Chorlo is the only one he knows, Eddie will stay by his side, believing it's his duty to protect his friend. To Lucas Eddie will turn and say:Hmm, she's right you should save that for the night when it gets cold, warms you up.
The map pieces are all different, and appear to fit together. When you hold them together, they show you the way to Kassen's tomb.
Your map pieces, when assembled, form the first map in the maps link at the top of the page. You follow the map successfully for the first two days. The narrow path winds through the raking claws of the trees, now bere! of their leaves, which crunch loudly underfoot. Up ahead, a fallen tree trunk blocks the path. Suddenly a trio of snarling humanoids leaps up from behind the log, all greenish skin and fearsome tusks, bellowing vulgar challenges.
Guys, for this encounter, I need all of you to roll a will save each turn. They might or might not do anything; it will all makes sense later. The map is set up at the map link. The adventure did not contain a map, so please forgive the poorly fitting map that was all I could find.
Chloro
Eddie
Savannah
Enemy
Bold may post
Chloro
Enemey
Lucas
Eddie
Savannah