You all received missives to travel to Andoran and report to the Society Lodge in Almas....
An autumn chill filled the Pathfinder Society’s chapter house in Almas as Venture-Captain Brackett briefed you. Normally brash and outgoing, the hatchet-faced veteran’s face instead wore an expression of guarded concern. “I need you to venture into the Aspodell Mountains between Cheliax and Andoran; a dwarven prospector there seeks a lost dwarven site and we want in on his expedition. The prospector’s name is Torvic and he’s obsessively searched for years, hoping to find the hidden galleries of his ancestor, the dwarven craftsman Barek Triongger.”
At this point, the chapter’s librarian Wystorn Telfyr stepped forward and from a small wooden case, he produced several tattered scrolls and a gleaming, strangely phosphorescent pearl. “We recently acquired these from a man called Beggar. They describe the Gallery of Wonders built by Barek Triongger during the death throes of the dwarven Empire of Tar Khadurrm.”
Picking up the strangely-glowing pearl, the librarian continued, “These pearls are only found in the deepest of the Darklands’ seas. While not especially valuable, a cache of these would be a rare find. Divinations revealed that Barek apparently used this one as a key. We could claim substantial favors from the dwarves of Emperor’s Peak
should we discover what it’s a key for.”
Venture-Captain Brackett took over. “I’m wagering that Beggar stole these items, as the likelihood of a wandering vagabond possessing legally acquired dwarven heirlooms seems small. Looking through these documents and comparing them to Pathfinder Chronicles on the matter, it’s clear that this Torvic is onto something.” Brackett cocked a thumb toward Telfyr. “Our librarian was able to glean some information from Beggar about where he acquired these items and was also able to divine a likely location where the dwarf might be holed up. Find him and make an alliance with him; hopefully, he’ll want his pearl back and will show you the way to the Gallery of Wonders.”
With a forced smile, Brackett says. Any questions?"
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A tall man with a thick Varisian accent steps forward. He smiles at Itra, whom he knows, then turns his attention to Brackett.
"Venture-Captain, Sir. I have only recently traveled zhese parts. For zhis trip to zhe Aspodell Mountains are zhere any arrangements made to take us zhere or will we purchase zhe supplies and mounts on our own?"
He turns and smiles to the Gnome and Elf, knowing what it is like to be just starting out in the Society.
"While us veterans may be able to afford zhe supplies, our newer Pathfinders might find provisioning a journey beyond zheir means."
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Celfwyn keeps the brim of his hat low to cover his eyes from the garish light of the lodge and pays as much attention as his wandering mind allows.
"So you're sendin' me underground again? And here I thought you didn't like me."
At Roland's comment, Celfwyn stands up in Roland's face a little. "I've got a bit o' gold stashed away. What, you think the Society wouldn't pay a recluse such as me?" You get an odd bouquet of aromas about this elf; like dank sewers meets a chemical closet. Also, his eyes are quite large and slightly unsettling, though they squint at the slightest glare from a light source. After sizing you up by your face, he smiles and sits back down. "Though I will need to stop at the shops on the way."
Buying MW Backpack -50
Buying MW Chain Shirt -250
Selling Studded Leather 25
Selling Backpack 2
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Total -303gp
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The diminutive gnome sits in her chair, losing interest in what the scarred VC briefs the group. She keeps looking down at her wayfinder. This thing is great. Does everyone get one of these? she thinks to herself.
When Brackett finishes and her fellow Pathfinders speak up, Cyrinda stashes the wayfinder and tries to look like she was paying attention. "What, oh yes. I think I'll need to stop along the way and pick up some scrolls," she quickly blurts in agreement with Celfwyn.
"Um...Captain Brackett? What sort of spells do you think may be most useful for where we are going?"
The Venture-Captain holds his hand out to fend off the onslaught of questions. "You'll have to walk as the Society did not arrange any means of transport, but the weather should treat you fine."
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Celfwyn grimaces. "If by 'fine' you mean without that blasted sun beating down on us, then good. But unless you can stop the sun from being its garish bright self, I highly doubt your forecast. Sir." He pulls the brim of his hat lower over his eyes and ruminates on the briefing. "Darklands, dwarves, peaks... What is known about the surface-location, this place we are to meet the dwarfman?"
Brackett shrugs at the elf's question. It's the mountains. Who knows...giants...dragon-kin...orcs, anythings is possible, but I'm betting you can handle it. That's why I called you in."
Brackett begins paging through some notes. "Well, you better be off. You should purchase any gear you want here in Almas, as you'll be in the wilderness."
The journey from Almas up into the Aspodell Mountains is uneventful, save for dismal frigid rains. In the plains, the dreary autumn weather carries promises of a harsh winter, but the mountain weather is much worse. After enduring weeks of relentless mountain wind and sleeting rain, clambering past jagged stone faces and slogging through ice-crusted mud, the party finally reaches the valley holding Torvic’s encampment. Gnarled conifers surround the mountain trail, their fallen needles carpeting the rocky valley. The trail cuts back and forth upslope toward the cave described by Telfyr. A plume of smoke rises the cave’s mouth.
Ceflwyn, Itra, and Roland hear what sounds like the sounds of battle coming from the near or inside the cave entrance.
Running up the cave, the party see a wooden barricade across the entrance. Through the gaps, the party can see a dwarf unconscious on the ground being attack by two small, blue, fey-like creatures and a giant ant. The mites see the party, call out to the ant, then continue to beat on the old dwarf!
Itra bashes the barricade in as if it were made of matchsticks!
After Itra bashes through the barricade, she moves into the cave!
Roland draws back and fires an arrow, sinking it deeply into the giant ant!
The ant moves up an attacks Itra, but the wily fighter dodges the creature's pinchers!
The small humanoids continue to beat on the fallen dwarf!
Ceflwyn tosses a bomb, smashing it on the ant's hard exoskelton, burning it! It still moves!
Roland fires two arrows, but only one hits, dropping one of the creatures.
Itra then swings and stabs the giant ant, taking it down!
Cyrindia fires a missile at the mite, hitting it, but it still stands.
The creature strikes at the dwarf again, the falls over unconscious from the effort!
Itra hurries to the unconscious dwarf and examines him, pronouncing him unconscious.....
He appears to stable with a little blood running down the sid eof his head.