Developer
|
Most Honored Associate,
I am so overjoyed that it is difficult to maintain proper decorum, so let me preface this by apologizing for any indiscretion this letter may contain. I have dedicated the last few years to the establishment of the Lantern Lodge in the Inner Sea and the increasing of our influence in our homeland in Tian Xia, and that effort is so close to paying off—in no small part due to your fine work, Pathfinder!
Even as I write this, the final details of a plan to bring the Hao Jin Tapestry completely under the Pathfinder Society’s control are being ironed out, and it’s only a matter of time before we can rightfully claim this gift to the Decemvirate as complete. When we are done, any Pathfinder will be able to use the tapestry as a means not only of traveling from Absalom to Varisia, but from the tapestry’s location to anywhere they desire—perhaps even other planes of existence! Remain true to our cause and bring us all honor, friend. Our time is nearing.
We still have much to do to cement ourselves in Tian Xia as the Pathfinder Society has done in the Inner Sea region. I believe our efforts to prevent the Aspis Consortium and Golden League from allying too closely will be most beneficial, but making your allegiance to the Lantern Lodge known whenever you are in our homeland will also be of great help—as long as you act honorably. I still hope to establish contact with someone who holds sway over the remnants of the Way of the Kirin, but until that time, we must work with the Pathfinders of the Inner Sea to further our goals.
Keep the faith, Pathfinder! Sunrise is coming for our day of glory, in both the Dragon Empires and the Inner Sea. Until that day, you must work to aid your fellow Pathfinders in battling the terrible evil stirring in Varisia. The very foundation of our lodge is our cooperation with the Pathfinder Society of the Inner Sea in addition to other orders in Tian Xia; without such allies we have no hope of attaining our goals. Your brethren need you in the coming battle. Do me honor by standing beside your fellow Pathfinders before all of Varisia, and perhaps more, falls to ruin.
For honor,
Venture-Captain Amara Li
|
This is excellent news, *kee-reee!*
The people of Tian Xia are impressing the nations of the Inner Sea with their power, agility and wits. While I have heard many of the more scurrilous Pathfinders openly speculate about the future of the Lantern Lodge, we know deep in our beating hearts that the power of the people from the land under heaven will trick, confound and ultimately win through in this struggle.
So the Decemvirate is concerned about some self-appointed Rune Lord. A chubby man who sleeps for 10,000 years? He is no match to our ferocious samurai, deadly ninjas, erudite clergy and superior steel. We will show him what it takes to be known as a hero in Tian Xia - and he will scramble to return to his bedding!
I am sure 10,000 years ago this 'Krune' never had to faced off with a legion of Tengu with magical steel in hand. He is unprepared for the magical advantage of Hao Jin's greatest sorcery. He will be easy.
We are the exalted of the great Dragon Empires - let us prove our worth!
Let us finish this!
Our group exists to serve! We stand beside our Inner Sea brothers and Sisters in combatting this great evil of which you speak, No force can withstand the chosen few from the Dragon Empires!
|
I too am pleased that the enlightenment of Tian Xia is finding root within this land and the soul of it's peoples. I am saddened, however, that many of our Tien brothers and sisters prefer to demonstrate our knowledge of power over our experience in wisdom. Guidance is what is needed at this time, for many of this land appear to have lost their way, and flounder in purpose.
Care must be taken in the matter of this Runelord, Master Poe. I have studied their history carefully, and they are discerning arcanists without equal. My companions and I have encountered their servants several times now, and they are wholly dedicated to their task. To instill such devotion requires a leader of great clarity of vision. If one were to rise from the slumber, such an event would prove disastrous for the freedom and lives of those who live here. We must strive to prevent this from occurring, but do so in a manner befitting our people's wisdom.
Venture-Captain Solail,
Master of the Lantern Lodge
Aasimar (Plume-Kith) Qinggong Monk 16
|
|
Ha-hah! I won't let you down, Venture-Captain Amara Li, I promise you I will not!
...Uh, Venture-Captain Soleil, are you reading your letter aloud to everyone? You could always just speak, or stick a missive of yours on a cork board at the Lodge like others do.
But yes, send me through the Hao Jin Tapestry, please send me to Varisia, and when I have proven my worth, then you can send me to Minkai where I can finally achieve all those goals of mine!
Though it would feel... dishonourable, killing anyone in their sleep. Especially if they've been sleeping for ten thousand years by magic. Maybe if we can wake him up ourselves, but fight him before he can get his magic ready again? Then, the beautiful might of the Lantern Lodge will beat him to pieces!!
...I can't wait!
|
|
...Uh, Venture-Captain Soleil, are you reading your letter aloud to everyone? You could always just speak, or stick a missive of yours on a cork board at the Lodge like others do.
Simply sharing my perceptions aloud with my peers of the lodge, brother. Discussion is key to our prosperity, and examining the discernment of others can be of aid in attaining enlightenment.
Venture-Captain Solail,
Master of the Lantern Lodge
Aasimar (Plume-Kith) Qinggong Monk 16
|
|
Oohh, thank you, Venture-Captain! I'm proud to find that you've helped me get a bit more enlightened.
The voice of one is but lecture, brother - not discussion. I would be humbled to hear your own discernment, and those of our peers, as they relate to the tidings we have sown for ourselves this year. Much has transpired and progressed, and some impending portents point to the absence of peace in the months to come.
Venture-Captain Solail,
Master of the Lantern Lodge
Aasimar (Plume-Kith) Qinggong Monk 16
|
Ah Yooohhh!!! What is all THISSS? Why iss everryone HERE so SEeRIOUSs wan?!?!
Cheeerr UP lah!
Amara jie, just ask us all to work harder only whhat. Why you all so Garang???
You ALLL wanto ruuushh to Varisia so fast for what?
Don't all be so HEROo! Want to rush to tóu tāi, Isss it?
Màn Màn Lái. PLANNN first. Later you rush to go to Varisia, forgot this, forgot that! Ah yoooh! So shammeeeFUl!
Later, the other lodges, think we lantern lodge, all Kan Cheong Kings! Can only SAY, Can not DO!
Can not lei thisss... As long as we all make sure we DO our part, sure can WIN one.
Cheer up hah!!! :)
|
*finally* I can be released from my obligations to this "Lodge"... Aunty Mei is right- "cheer up, hah!". I think I will explore business opportunities with those Sczarni fellows now that I am no longer required to "step and fetch" in order to make a good impression to the Society.
Chibiko Katahara
Tiefling Witch (Pirate) 15
|
Noble Venture-Captain Amara Li,
I am but a humble warrior with the curssse of a devil in my blood. I am young and new to the Pathfindersss and the Lantern Lodge, but I hope I ssserved you well in the one mission I've been sssent on sssso far.
I hear rumorsss that the Lantern Lodge mission in the Inner Sssea shall sssoon come to an end, having completed our goalsss here for the time being. While thisss isss very good newsss, I wonder what will become of your loyal ssservantsss here in Absssalom. I am not yet ready to return to Nagajor, for I have not yet proven myssself honorable enough for my people to overlook my curssse.
If I am disssmisssed from your ssservicss here in the Inner Sssea, I may look into sssome of the other groupsss within the Pathfinder Sssocssiety. The Sssilver Crusssade and Andoran in particular ssseem like good and noble groupsss, trying to make Golarion a better placsse.
I had thought to offer to aid my sssword to helping rid Cheliaxss from their plague of devilsss, but apparently, they don't consssider the devil infessstation a problem. I sssometimesss wonder if I'll ever underssstand mammalsss.
|
|
I am most discombobulated to learn, after a long and perilous dangerous from Tian Xia to Absalom, not only that such a journey might have been rendered a great deal shorter and safer in little time, but that the Lantern Lodge I was sent to serve appears to be - dare I say it? - less than the honourable institution it was presented to be.