Having received a summons to an address near Korvosa, you arrive to find a ramshackle tenement. A light rain has begun to fall, and the Venture-Captain quickly ushers you inside. Offering each of you a cup of a warm, amber liquid, he wastes no time beginning his briefing.
“For this mission you will have to venture into the sewers beneath Korvosa. Sascha Antif-Arah,” he announces, gesturing to a haggard human woman who is past her prime but whose posture expresses confidence and experience, “requires access to a particular vault. The society is going to help her.” Sascha eyes each Pathfinder in turn then nods to herself with some satisfaction and steps forward gracefully.
“Some years ago my friends and I had made quite a name for ourselves around Korvosa, and our adventures earned us a considerable amount of gold. We stashed most of it in one of the Vaults after evicting the cult that had already claimed it." Sascha pauses for a moment, smiles, and shakes her head as if recalling particularly amusing details of the raid. “Anyway, I retired from the business after that, started up a shop, and lived peacefully until I got into trouble with the Hellknights.
“I can’t show my face in Korvosa because I don’t fancy spending my retirement in shackles, but I’m willing to cede my share of the loot in that Vault to you. It’s no dragon’s hoard, but it should be more than worth your time. The only thing I want from there is an old locket — nothing magical or worth fencing, but it means a lot to me. Once I have it, I’m getting out of this place and off to somewhere the Order of the Nail has no sway."
“The entrance shouldn’t be too hard to find, assuming you know what to look for,” she remarks as she fishes several folded papers from her haversack. “There’s an old service entrance into the sewers about a quarter mile north of my old shop in Midland; I wrote down directions that should lead you to the vault. There’s a big room inside, and I stashed my share under the flagstones in one of the small chambers nearby.”
She extracts a few more items from her bag and holds them out. “I hope you don’t need these, but you never know. I certainly won’t be using them in my retirement. Good luck to you, Pathfinders.”
"Now, I'm sure you have questions. Out with them, if you will. I'm not getting any younger."
Korvosa's Sewers shelter an immense number of rats - dire and mundane. In addition, goblins, wererats, and otyughs all exploit the immense amount of refuse discarded by the city's citizens.
The garbage also provides nutrition for a wide variety of fungi and shade-tolerant plants. Most are not dangerous, but a rare few supplement their diets by capturing live prey.
Several types of oozes are known to prowl the Korvosan sewers, particularly oozes that use cunning camouflage to get close to prey.
The Vaults employ a hodgepodge of architectural elements both due to staggered phases of construction and the inclusion of natural cave features.
Not all of the tunnels leading from the sewers to the sea have grates, and sometimes marine creatures work their way into the tunnels.
Early Korvosan engineers incorporated pre-existing construction into the sewer system, including Shoanti burial mounds and unidentifiable, worked passageways.
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Quinn nods and rubs his scalp. "Not my first time in those sewers. Why, I remember one time I . . . nah, nevermind. We'll just keep our eyes out for the usual sewer vermin, and especially otyughs." Quinn shrugs. "You want to share anything about this business with the cult or the Order of the Nail? The more we know, and all that . . ."
A grim smile crossing her face, she replies “Apparently accidentally stepping onto the streets between Hellknights and a wanted criminal indicates that a completely innocent citizen is an accomplice. I was unjustly convicted, but I’d rather not test the local law enforcement’s patience by trying my luck out there.”
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Althea is practically bouncing from excitement, when Sascha says 'cede my share of the loot' her eyes gleam with avarice.
Once sascha has spoken her piece, Althea will look suspiciously at the items Sascha hands over. Aberration bane, antitoxin, antiplague, alkali, that means...
...absolutely nothing to her, at the moment.
"I don't know how helpful it is, but I remember hearing something about how the architectural of the sewers is a hodgepodge of different types of styles."
Althea ponders for a moment, then asks "Just how many small chambers open off of this large room? Do you remember which chamber you hid it in? Might save us some time." Because checking under every flagstone would be onerous and booooring.
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Xiao Jr. is a small Halfling with features that show his Tian origin.
He has a buckler in his hand and wears a custom-fit chain shirt suit that looks like it has been recently oiled.
Resting on top of his chest, an amulet showing the holy symbol of Chaldira Zuzaristan is visible.
Xiao Jr. is sitting on a military saddle on top of a riding dog that looks like a mixture of a black wolfhound and a mastiff.
It is clear that this dog can fight while carrying a rider and Xiao Jr is in control.
On Xiao Jr.'s shoulder you see a flying bat that has dark black fur which in some areas has a brown coloring.
Xiao Jr, his riding dog 'Pars' and his flying bat familiar 'Khafaash' enter and you see that Xiao Jr is beaming.
He turns to all of you with his white teeth and broad smile.
"Khafaash, Pars and I are here to support you and bring luck into your lives ... if destiny allows!" Xiao Jr. says to the team with a confident smile.
* * *
After listening to the Venture-Captain and Sascha Antif-Arah, Xiao Jr is clearly proud to be a Pathfinder.
"We are sooooo great! We don't give up! We help and support! No one is left behind! One for all, all for one!" he shouts cheerfully!
"I stole the last line by the way but who cares!" he says smiling.
Then he looks at Quinn. "You are good, but I know a little bit more! Listen ..."
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Physical description: Light olive skin, violet eyes and thick black hair, she dresses in the manner of her mother, the bright colors of Varisia evident in her dress and headscarf, favoring reds and purples. Around new people she always wears her kapenia scarf on her head, covering her ears (Unless there are other elves in the party, but I think not). Somewhat taller than most women, and slender, she moves with the grace of a cat. At her hip is an extravagant rapier, and a plain sap, with a light crossbow slung behind her shoulder.
Personality: Friendly and gregarious when she needs to be , she would always rather make a friend than an enemy ("You catch more flies with honey..."). Incredibly intelligent for a Rogue, she has a wide variety of knowledge and skills available to her, also slightly more on the serious side .
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Serpentfang leaves his large python companion outside in the rain while he runs in for the briefing. He gives her a big hug and says: “You behave now Vivi, I shouldn’t be long, just getting us a mission..” The half long is pale skinned dressed in a silver robe with purple accents, purple face make up and long silver hair pulled back out of his eyes. He walks with a spear out used like a walking stick, and judging by the condition, appears to have never even been used. Serp’s demeanor is usually excited, jovile, and friendly, but most consider him crazy for his love of snakes.
”Oh treasure you say? How lovely, Vivi and just love the shinies. Say do you think my Large Python outside could fit in those sewers? I’d hate to leave her alone, she tends to cause trouble when she’s away from me.”
"I'm glad you are all so excited to help me in this matter." she replies with a smile. "As for your companion? Hmmm... Now it's been a while since I was down there, but I recall some places are vast and others aren't... I believe she'll be able to make it through, but some of the sewers may be a bit tight for her."
"Did you have any other questions for me?"
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Rats, goblins, wererats, otyughs, fungi, carnivorous plants & fungi, camoflauged oozes, and marine creatures! Oh my! Althea will tell Toril "There will likely be many monsters for you to hit. They are guarding the treasure."
Althea will (probably) recognize Chaldira's symbol, as he is so close with Desna.
She will then politely press Sascha once more for a more specific location on the locket before dropping it and leaving.
These items didn't originally arouse her suspicions, but once Xiao pointed out the type of monsters we might find, her bravado confident shakes a bit as she pales, realizing her limitations. She curses in Varisian. "F#&+in' Oozes.
Althea is very interested in all of these items (arrows less so b/c have a crossbow not bow) if no one else is.
If there's any chance we are fighting aberrations, SOMEONE should be able to use these arrows. If no one else is interested in them, Althea will purchase a mundane shortbow so she can use them.
On top of what Sascha gave us, Althea will purchase 2 alkali flasks for personal use, 1 antitoxin, (10 more crossbow bolts if I don't need a shortbow,) and find a level 3 cleric to cast Delay Disease.
1 antitoxin = 50g
Alchemist's Fire = 20g
10 crossbow bolts = 1g
Delay Disease = CL x SL x 10g = 60g (Korvosa is a large city, this should be doable if I understand the rules correctly)
Total = 161g
Additional 30g if shortbow
Turning to Athlea, she smiles. "Deary, it's been many years since I've been down there. Unless you run into trouble, it should only be a few minute walk from where I'm having you enter the sewers. Beyond that, you should know it when you see it."
She then gives you rudimentary directions to the secret entrance, along with a general idea of where to navigate once inside. Bidding you farewell, they send you on your way.
After making your purchases, you are able to find the secret entrance in a secluded alley with ease.
A rusty, slime-encrusted steel ladder descends into the Korvosan sewers, whose tunnels stretch to the north, east, and south like roads in an underground city. Curtains of fungus and mold hang from the ceilings, which rise roughly ten feet above the tunnels’ walkways, which run along either side of the sewage channels. Occasional dim patches of light filter in from the streets above providing minimal illumination. Despite the sickening smell of decay, the tunnels are free of garbage, waste, and the other byproducts of Korvosan life.
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Althea looks in her pack, and is surprised not to find any torches in there. She shrugs "I suppose we could go back upstairs if we need to. Some well-prepared Pathfinders we are!" she laughs lightly but it's obvious she's embarrassed.
Once the light situation is resolved, she will refer to the directions Sascha gave us to determine which direction to go, and lightly jump over the water if needed.
The rogue-ish woman shows the group how light she is on her feet by easily hopping to the far side of the sewer.
As the light appears, radiating outward from the man's spear, a strange beast comes into view. This three-legged freak is mostly mouth. Three tentacles, two tipped with barbs and one with eyes, extend from its sides.
Scraping the barbs across the sewer walls it lets out an ominous roar, echoing through the corridors.
This is an Otyugh, a large aberration.
You know they are known to be scavengers and tend to reside in 'vile places' eating refuse.
For every 5 you beat the DC ask a question
I take your response as "tell me something" so...
You recall they tend to spread disease with their bite and can constrict those they catch in their tentacles.
When an immediate attack doesn't occur, the beast crinkles up it's mouth hole a bit. While menacing, it somewhat resembles a...smile? sneer? Hard to tell...
The beast slowly approaches the group, calling out “Give something good to Togg. I am Togg. Give Togg good food with good taste.”
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It speaks common! How surprising.
Althea rummages through her pack, pulling out a bit of dried rations and a few slightly smushed berries.
She addresses the creature awkwardly "Uh, excuse me, Mister, uh, Togg. Xiao is right, we didn't bring much in the way of food, but would like to help - do either of these smell good to you?"
She carefully edges toward the creature until she's about 5 feet away, then puts the food on the ground and backs up again.
Special attacks are in Quinn's spoiler above. Constrict when they grab someone and a disease when they bite.
I'll add the disease is 'Filth Fever' which requires 2 consecutive saves, has an onset of 1d3 days and does both dex and con damage.
Intelligent creatures dwelling in subterranean areas near an otyugh often form a partnership of convenience with the disgusting beast. These creatures gladly provide their refuse and piles of raw meat to the otyugh, transforming the creature into an effective form of trash disposal. In return, the otyugh leaves its benefactors alone, and does not attack them, possibly even acting as a guardian.
The most horrifying thing to most races about the notorious otyugh is not the nature of its diet or its choice of lairs, but rather that a creature with an otyugh's tastes can be anything other than a mindless scavenger. In fact, otyughs are surprisingly intelligent, and often quite eager to form alliances with those who offer them a steady supply of delicious diversions in the form of offal and waste. Most otyughs understand the fact that other creatures find them unpleasant and hideous, but few really care.
"Tee? Togg try tee." announces the creature. “Sewers have lots of food, but Togg want better food. Food from above! Tasty drinks!” he adds, nodding to the tea.
Eyeing the group, he gestures towards Serpeant Fang and Xiou “Those ones looks good. Dey's small. No one notice dey gone.”
"Give Togg good food, Togg let all go. All happy. No Hungry Togg and You gets ta go. Mayhaps ya gets treasure. Togg no have need fer treasure. Togg need good foods and drinks."
The otyugh reaches out and gobbles up the ration. With a slight grunt it seems to shrug. "Is betta dan normal foods. Ya has more for Togg?"
Scarfing down the offered food, Togg steps right up to Althea. "More for Togg."
The tentacular eyes looking over the smaller party members, it inquires "Friends are no food? Is friends of the Togg?" As it's eyes sweep the group again, it motions towards the large snake creature. "Is food? No legs so no friend, yes? Is food for Togg? Togg can eat on it long time."
You get the impression there is still an opportunity to come to a non-violent conclusion to this situation. You feel it is possible to sway him with words alone, but supplying him with what he requests will certainly help make him more likely to be convinced.
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"Nope, nope, snakey is friend too, even without legs." Althea rummages through her bag some more "Ah ha! what about leather?" and pulls out her old Studded Leather Armor that she keeps forgetting to sell. "Does this smell like food?" and drops it hurriedly near the creature and then backs up again. "Also, we promise to bring you any fresh kills we make while exploring down here. Is that fair?"
The beasts eye's light up at the sight of the leather armor. "Oooo! Togg no have dis before. Is delicacy in the above?" Licking the armor, his eyes seem to roll back in his head a moment as a large blob of flood drips from his maw. "Ooooo tis sssooooo gooooood"
Chewing on the edges a bit, he snatches it up with a tentacle. "Togg keep fer after. More?" he inquires hopefully.
"OH...ok." sighs the Otyugh, as another appears from down the side corridor. "You nice. You feed Togg. You bring Togg and Argura more on way back."
Tossing the studded leather to the other creature, it slinks a little ways down the tunnel and points out another small room. "Little tings we find we no eat. You friends of Togg can look an take whatya want."
Pointing onward, “That way has stone rat an mean people. The Togg ask dem fer food, too. They say ‘no’ and ran. Bad people. Looked tasty."
Both otyugs proceed to move down the side corridor; leaving you to your own devices.
The bricks that once sealed off this natural cave appear to have been removed long ago. Garbage litters the cave’s floor, and the knee-deep pile writhes with beetles. Fresher pieces of refuse lie on the top, largely untouched by the resident decomposers.
On top of the pile a somewhat fresh leg lies atop an empty satchel.
Heading on through the tunnel, it comes to a 'T' intersection. To the east, you see ongoing sewer, the right west you see...
The tunnel terminates in a small shrine centered around a large statue of a rat, around which handfuls of baubles and trinkets lie as if left as offerings. Nearly every brick bears some type of scratch marks, many having the appearance of writing without actually forming coherent letters. About one foot above the walkway, a large pipe emerges from the southern wall.
A pair of leather clad subjects are currently picking through the offered items. They don't seem to have spotted you at this time.
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Althea peeks her head in the otyugh cache, wrinkles her nose, and asks Xiao if he has a Sift spell prepared. She uses the tip of her boot to knock the leg off and looks in the satchel on top. Perfectly good satchel. Bit of a downgrade from armor, but it was worth it to not have to fight both of those things. She shivers in disgust.
How large is the pipe? As in, what size creature could crawl through it?
When she sees the leather clad folks near the rat statue, she will use the large body of Thoril as cover to try to meld into his shadow.
She is absolutely confident in her sneakiness.
If so then Althea will suggest we avoid these individuals for now, if they are still here on our way out then we can deal with them.
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*sigh* "Well that's the way we have to go, so it looks like we will have to deal with these folks one way or another. Normally I am a fan of sneakiness, but also not everyone is good at that and besides there's not much to hide behind anyway. I could try to lie and tell them we are offended they are stealing tribute from the shrine, and then maybe we could try to intimidate them to leave?" She looks around at her companions. "Unless anyone has a better idea?"
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To her companions "OK everybody look real mean and intimidating-like." then she steps out from behind Thoril and declares loudly "Excuuuuse me, but just what do you think you are doing desecrating our shrine? I highly suggest you leave now while we still allow you to!" and glowers at the leather clad individuals.
(If I should have rolled bluff instead then add 4)
The two humanoids turn towards your group. A damp spot seems to form beneath the male at the sight of your group. "I...we...uh..."
The duo appear visibly shaken by your sudden appearance and gusto. Just as it seems they may comply, the statues eyes begin to glow red. An unusual, obscene sound begins to echo off the sewer walls.
"អ្នករាល់គ្នាជាសត្វសាហាវ! សម្លាប់គ្នាដូច្នេះខ្ញុំអាចរីករាយនឹងព្រលឹងអ្នក!"
"You vile beasts! Kill each other so I may feast upon your souls!"
The strange language continues to shout, devolving into a string of obscenities
Glancing towards the rat statue, both subjects eyes go wide as they turn back to you. "Demons?! Devils?! You've woken the dead!" shrieks the one with a blue ascot.
"Kill them Pellius!" shrieks the one wearing red socks. "We must appease the gods. It's the only way to get out of here alive!!!"
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The pair grab a quarterstaff each and begin twirling them in front. Though neither advance on the group, their intentions are quite clear.
Althea
Thoril
Serpentfang
Quinn
Xiao
Foes