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Hmm, okay chapter one: The Basics. I should have this covered, must have had score of missions under my belt before returning to Kyonin. Healing, I have a fresh wand... I could pick up a potion in addition, but I'm more that likely to forgot to tell my team about it. I saw that new wand that wizards could use to heal, but it gives me the shivers. One wand is fine.
Sword, bow, gauntlets, novice stuff. What's next, swarms... Two acid flasks, one holy water... and that's it. That is not enough. I can get a few flasks of fire, or an enchanted amulet, it is only a seventy fold price difference.
Basic visibility; Ioun torch, no smokesticks, no torchs, no sunrods. How did I live this long? Antiplague, no antitoxin.
No back up bow, but I'll be able to fit a new one in the new magic quiver.
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"only one way to find out I suppose. The mind needs a little dulling, just gets in the way when its time to fight. If you're thinking you've already wasted too much time.
You may want moonrods. Lots of things can see in the dark better than you, but not a lot of things see by moonlight AND the dark. Gives away your position, but the bipedal mouthbreathers they send us out to protect may as well ring the dinner bell for the monsters with all the light they have to shine around, so thats almost unavoidable.
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Ah it works! Perfect!
Gnomish cleverness, moonrods. That is good recommendation, now I have a few reliable sources of light. I'll need to grab an oil of daylight once I've been back long enough to be owed a few favors. I wont worry anymore about swarms for this upcoming mission, I caught rumor that an old comrade will be on that team that can cast fire and ice on whim.
So let's see what we are missing from chapter two; dealing with all sorts of resilient beasts. Hmmm, lets make sure I never ran out of anything, nine ghost salt blanched arrows, twenty silver blanched arrows, another 9 ghost salt blanched arrows, twenty durable adamantine arrows, seventeen blunt arrows, sixteen cold iron arrows, another thirteen silver blanched arrows, five pheromone arrows, and one grapple arrow. My bow is already enchanted with magic, just short an oil of aligned weapon and that is set. I was a little worried how I survived my first year after chapter one, but I found nothing wanting here. Even this dusty scroll of endure elements has some power left in it.
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The fox yawns, showing off rows of needlelike teeth. His ears perk up as he sniffs the pheromone arrows. " I love when the archers use those. Makes the monsters so much more palatable. Some of them need it, some of them really need it. Need to restock on those. I hope they got more meat smoker ones in stock...
"You're doing way too much planning. Live a little! This isn't the sort of thing you can do out of a book. Cold irons cheap, I don't know why you have anything BUT those. Dip them in that silver stuff and you don't need to waste time trying to look up if its a devil or a demon you just shoot the damned thing with those arrows if it looks funny. You HAVE been in a fight before right? Not just this training yard dross. You really want to be fighting a demon and try to figure out which ones the cold iron one because you were too cheap to spend a few copper on an arrow? They poke holes in things that aren't demons just fine.
He paws a medalion on the ribbon to theground and backs his head out of it. Sliding it over to you. "For darkness a friend of mine got me one of these. Easier than fishing around in the basket for a vial."
Its a wayfinder. The inscription reads "Grr, you helped me in my darkest hour. use this in yours. - Nuar. P.S. moo!
"He has the worst sense of humor when he's drunk...
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You're telling me that you...bite, the monstrosities we encounter on mission?
Yes, you are right about those cold iron arrows. The days of shooting mites in caves and buying extra gear with the day job is long past. 100 cold iron arrows with silver blanch is going on the list. I've traveled with a few scholarly types, go used to having a coach saying where to shoot and what to shoot. Hmm I could adamantine blanch a few blunt arrows, have you ever fought a clay golem? Avoid it if you can... And since I've defeated two dragons in combat, I'm going to let the training yard comment pass.
Too much planning? You're kidding me, Field Agents who planned too much are the reason I'm alive today. I hope to pay it forward. Anyhow, rumor is my next mission is in Nex, do you think the library will have any tombs on golems and whatever these 'fleshforges' produce? Umm, or any scholars willing to paraphrase those tombs?
A wayfinder, useful. I kinda missed my Confirmation, I showed up with a letter or recommendation and immediately got sent into a magic tapestry by Aram Zey to fill the fourth position on a field team. Never did get around to getting my own pathfinder... The HR team here kind of sucks now that I think about it... I bought an ioun stone that burns, it was cheaper than requisitioning my own wayfinder.
Who is Nuar? Sounds like quite a joker.
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You're telling me that you...bite, the monstrosities we encounter on mission?
"Course! What did you think I did, hit them with my soft fluffy tail?" He smirks a little, twitches, and the fur mats together into a row of sharp spikes, which he drags across a loose piece of rubble, leaving a small line in the soft marble.
"Thats half the use of the brandy, as mouth wash afterwards." he pauses in case there's a spit. "Don't worry, I have it poured into one of the shot glasses first. Last thing I want is ghoul backwash. nice thing about only weighing eight pounds, your bar tab is a LOT lower. "
He snorts at the idea of a coach. "What, do you get the enemies that TELL you when they're showing up? You need to be shooting now, which means you need to be knocking yesterday.
"Fought a few statues. Don't think they were clay. Rock mostly. Its only a few inches through the ankle. Once you do that? Two leggers can't stand up and down it goes. , but those few inches are HELL on the teeth and claws I tell you. One of the few times I miss one of the lord in irons chosen with a big clumsy weapon.
Nuar, six feet tall, horns, cloven hooves white fur and not a tiefling? Throws a heck of a party and likes to chew the cud." hehehe. "Gotta remember that one for next time I see him..."
Too much planning? You're kidding me, Field Agents who planned too much are the reason I'm alive today. I hope to pay it forward. Anyhow, rumor is my next mission is in Nex, do you think the library will have any tombs on golems and whatever these 'fleshforges' produce? Umm, or any scholars willing to paraphrase those tombs?
He snickers a bit at the Hr department. "And they wonder why I just sleep through the mission briefings. Not like it matters or they pick people that know what they're doing. But we come back alive and the things we fight don't once they get through with all of the prattling and I finally get to the fun part.
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"Well I find McCracken's Armaments produces an amazingly resilient arrow." A voice says as a humanoid fox woman approaches, her winterwolf hide cloak and boots flattering her paler pelt as she offers the elf on to examine. "Durable, cold iron and unless I shoot something that is on fire, has acid for blood or flies away; I get it back. Your kin in Kyromir have an amazing arrow that explodes into shards in mid flight, very useful for swarms and folks who like to catch arrows." She flicks her five tails into a comfortable positions as she sits by the ruined statue.
"One of my instructors said: 'it's half inspiration, half improvisation, half preparation and half blind luck.' Yes, I know that does add up, but Lady Longpath isn't one to let logic rul they day and I try not to argue with Runelord killing Venture Captains. Jess Le Rue by the way." She says with a salute as she takes a sip from her own flask.
"I know enough to know that hat you need to know your friends and team mates. Old Deadeye teaches to know your allies as well as your foes. I speak a dozen languages and carry a bunch of reference books for the bookish among my team, I help out the glib talkers and generally put arrows in things." She grins as she taps her two hip quivers.
"If you are teamed up with, say an alchemist, ask what he knows. I learned about this really noxious mixture that literally 'melts" armor. The crazy elf bottled up green slime essence." She shivered at the though. "He made me these lovely paint arrows too. Because when I am trying to distract that guy WAY over there, nothing does it better than a face full of pink paint."
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"Goodness, it seems I'm inappropriately attired she responds. Then, almost imperceptibly swiftly, she suddenly has fox ears, a fox tail, and fur covering her body, along with a muzzle, though is still humanoid.
"Ooh, been a while since I've done that. Got a crick in my neck." She rubs massages her own neck while looking down at the checklist.
"Did you look into oils of bless weapon? I don't need them myself anymore, but I know a lot of people swear by them, they overcome a lot of nasty creatures resistances, and they cost less than an oil of align weapon.
"Oh, how rude of me. My name is Ami." She reaches down to shake the elf's Hand.
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Has there been an outreach program I wasn't aware of? before today I'd only ever met one Kitsune. A pleasure to meet you Jess Le Rue and you Ami-San, I am Sir Jetanmerun Tinunsae, the Dragonslayer, the Dragonkiller. Jet among compatriots.
But you are both right, not having fully loaded arrows ready to fly is negligent. I've seen splintercloud arrows used on my homeland, Mostly as a grounds-keeping tool to drive out wasps and spiders from a safe distance. I've never thought of them as any more effective than alchemical flasks. You carry yourself like you are trained with the bow, does your training carry over and make those arrows any more effective in your hands that in a novices?
I like the idea of splintercloud arrows, but I'm not sure what if any damage bonuses would apply. And at ~100g a round, with a reflex save to avoid 1d3+0 damage, the swarmbane clasp or a necklace of fireballs still looks better for high tier. If damage bonuses apply it would be worth it. /Shrug
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This is all terribly off topic; I still have two more chapters to get through and I ship out to Nex tonight, and I haven't been on a mission in ten months.
Yes, Oils of Bless Weapon, cheaper and used more often. I'll pick up both!
Chapter 3: Flight, Underwater, Magical Darkness, Sneaking, and General Utility. A Floating Feather Feather Token is a cheap easy flight solution for the rare time it becomes necessary. Add a few air crystals to the shopping list. Magical Darkness has already been covered. I can move quietly when I need to. Now general utility... wow, it has been a while since I've been out, I do have a wayfinder! It is holding this ioun stone that protects by from domination. There is a few scrolls of lesser restoration, and the endure elements from earlier, a potion of invigorate. Between these and the alchemical remedies from earlier, that is covered.
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Ami frowns and looks down at the checklist.
"An outreach program? Not that I know of. The famous pathfinder Jarelle rescued me from a shipwreck. More than likely you actually have run into a Kitsune, many of us go around in human form. I know that if I don't children try and pet me and pull my tail, it is quite rude. The Kitsune sighs and shifts around in her clothes, indicating she finds the sensation of fur on clothes a little disconcerting.
"I- uh, I hate to add to add to the shopping list, but you do have holy water right? Great for undead and evil extrapo-,er, extra-, evil devil things. I once ran into an evil-tainted swarm, resisted fire and acid, and weapons, but holy water did the trick.
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"I never hide, unless it's to lure a fool into range of this." Jess tapped her bow as she fluttered her five tails tellingly. Clearly it's point of vanity for her. "The user of of the arrows was a grenadier..his arrows were full of quite telling surprises.. infused with alchemical fire and a frost bomb." She grinned as she pulled out a bottle and sipped it.
"Holy water is nearly universally good. Evil critters from beyond.. undead...halflings that won't bathe..." She shrugged. "I find that a few durable arrows kills most things.. or annoys them enough not to notice the big man with the great sword" She waggled her fingers a bit. "And occasionally I get a weak willed lummox who doesn't suspect the pretty fox lady in armor of magic."
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"I never hide, unless it's to lure a fool into range of this." Jess tapped her bow as she fluttered her five tails tellingly. Clearly it's point of vanity for her. "The user of of the arrows was a grenadier..his arrows were full of quite telling surprises.. infused with alchemical fire and a frost bomb." She grinned as she pulled out a bottle and sipped it.
"Holy water is nearly universally good. Evil critters from beyond.. undead...halflings that won't bathe..." She shrugged. "I find that a few durable arrows kills most things.. or annoys them enough not to notice the big man with the great sword" She waggled her fingers a bit. "And occasionally I get a weak willed lummox who doesn't suspect the pretty fox lady in armor of magic."
"Oh, I wouldn't call it hiding, really. I mean, I'm not particularly good at looking like a human. It just, y'know, doesn't give little kids the opportunity to grab my tail."
She looks around self-conciously, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, you can use magic? That's really neat. I tried for a bit to learn in my hometown, but I guess I just didn't have the knack for it. Most I learned how to do was the little light thing . . . I think it's called . . . dancing lights? I was told that some can tap into their inner Kitsune to channel more powerful magics, but I never was able to. I have great respect for those who can, though."
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"Oh I just have the magic of my tails." Jess said with a flick of her tails. "I'm an archer mostly. I can do a few tricks." She gestured and a trio of lights appeared overhead, dancing at her gesture. "I can charm people, disguise myself and turn scrying aside. No one looks for me though, so I don't have too many issues about folks looking for me.. so far."
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"Says the Kitsune that looks like he could pass for a familiar and sit in any of our laps." Jess teases. "You got shapeshifting down to an art form, how many people have been very very surprised at the 'familiar' or 'lap fox' who does what you do?"
Jess grinned as she laid out a cloth and started working on her arrows one at a time with a whet stone, sharpening each in turn before laying them down on the doeskin cloth.
"If these things keep popping up like they have been, my tailor will be seeing a lot of me." She shrugged. "Not many 'many-tails' out there, so tailors and armorers are at a premium."
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A rather handsome Kellish man strolls over to the statue with a bottle of rum in hand. After taking a moment to assess the group gathered, he shifts into a shorter Kitsune male, and seats himself on the steps leading up to the once glorious statue.
"Well, well, well, quite nice to see a fair gathering of our kind here!" He proclaims boisterously before taking a swig of rum. "So...where're you all from? What's the topic? And better yet, why's one of you a four-legger?"
Pan takes a moment to think before hopping to his feet and saying, "The name's Kr̥pāṇa Torikkusu, I'm a privateer from Qadira, though I prefer to be called Pan." He makes a quick flamboyant bow, mocking the hat doff most sea-men perform. "Pleased to make your acquaintances."
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"Oh, uh, hai". The fencer crosses her hands in front of her lap and bows forward (Referance)
"Watanabe Ami, Dozo Yoroshiku-etosa, erm, I mean, how do you do." The Kitsune seems slightly embarrassed and takes a moment to compose herself. "Sorry, as you can tell I'm from Tien-Xia. When people get formal around me I tend to . . . revert back to my old ways. It's nice to meet you Mr. K- erm, Pan. My name is Watanabe Ami, oh, I mean, um, my family name is Watanabe."
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"Watanabe Ami, Dozo Yoroshiku-etosa, erm, I mean, how do you do." The Kitsune seems slightly embarrassed and takes a moment to compose herself. "Sorry, as you can tell I'm from Tien-Xia. When people get formal around me I tend to . . . revert back to my old ways. It's nice to meet you Mr. K- erm, Pan. My name is Watanabe Ami, oh, I mean, um, my family name is Watanabe."
"Oh, you are also from Tian-Xia? I am from Kurookamimura in the Forest of Spirits. Perhaps you have heard of my parents? They helped subdue and purify the Black Wolf."
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Ami shakes her head no and turns to the side a little.
"I-uh, no. My village was quite isolated from other Kitsune villages, and, eto-sa, my parents were fairly, uhhh, 'protective' as well. I never had a chance to socialize with Kitsune outside of my village, well, not really. I'm sure your parents were great shamans or spiritualists though. Don't take my ignorance as meaning anything."
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Ami shakes her head no and turns to the side a little.
** spoiler omitted **
"I-uh, no. My village was quite isolated from other Kitsune villages, and, eto-sa, my parents were fairly, uhhh, 'protective' as well. I never had a chance to socialize with Kitsune outside of my village, well, not really. I'm sure your parents were great shamans or spiritualists though. Don't take my ignorance as meaning anything."
"Oh no, that's quite alright. Everyone in my village knows of my parents, but there aren't any other settlements in the Black Wolf's domain, so I was curious how far that fame may have spread. Only one of my mothers is a spell-wielder, though. The other is quite the swordswoman."
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Out for a casual stroll in the grand lodge, Ami spies a familiar elf sitting under a statue to the famous pathfinder. She jogs over to him, shifting into her kitsune form as she does.
"Oh, if it isn't . . . uhhhh . . . oh, y'know, I've quite forgotten your name? It's Ami" she says pointing to herself. "We met when you were making your shopping list before heading off to . . . where was it . . . Nex?"
She bows slightly before continuing.
"I trust your journey went well?"
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Ami! Yes, my journey went very well. There was a last minute substitution and comrade of mine took up the mission to Nex, but I was re-routed to Magnimar and then Nidal. On top of that I just caught word of more trouble in Nidal and intend to ship out tonight.
It is Jetanmerun, but enough about me. How have your adventures gone?
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Ami! Yes, my journey went very well. There was a last minute substitution and comrade of mine took up the mission to Nex, but I was re-routed to Magnimar and then Nidal. On top of that I just caught word of more trouble in Nidal and intend to ship out tonight.
It is Jetanmerun, but enough about me. How have your adventures gone?
"Oh, really sorry about that Jetanmerun," She repeats his name several more times to make sure she's memorized it.
"My last adventure I, uh-huh," she makes a nervous chuckle. "Well, you may not like me for this, but I was ordered" she puts a strong emphasis on the word, indicating she was not a fan her mission."To go to some ancient Elven Ruins."
"They were just outside the boarders of Kyonin, but, still, I didn't feel right about it. We wanted some archaeological info about the area. We thought, well, the Venture Captain thought that the Elves had forgotten about it, and it was a wonderful opportunity to study ancient elven architecture."
She shifts back and forth, obviously embarrassed.
"Well, we got there, and found that an elven scout had discovered it, but was captured by the Drow, and that the drow had stolen an ancient Elven text. We freed the elf, of course, and came to an agreement. We retrieved the text, and were allowed to study and copy it before giving it back to Kyonin."
"I hope you don't think less of me, I know how protective Kyonin is of their ancenstral lands. I do want to say I worked night and day to make sure that the artifact was returned to Kyonin. Cost me a few favors too, but it was worth it."
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... Yes, a few years ago 'not liking you' would have been a mild term. But I now doubt some of the beliefs I've once held...
I don't approve of the pillaging of Kyonin ruins, but I can no longer oppose it with the extreme measures I once did. There is a Taldane phrase I've found disturbingly accurate: 'No man is an island'. It is a commoners phrase but there is Brightness in it. Erastil knows it is appropriate when working with the pathfinders.
It sounds like your mission saved the life on an elven scout and returned an artifact to my people. Without your aid, that scout would be dead... I was a Kyonin scout before joining the Pathfinders.
My time with the Society is nearly done, when I return to Kyonin I shall work to ensure that the elves join the greater community of Golarion, and so that on your next endeavor into Kyonin ruins you have a guide instead of needing to sneak in.
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... Yes, a few years ago 'not liking you' would have been a mild term. But I now doubt some of the beliefs I've once held...
I don't approve of the pillaging of Kyonin ruins, but I can no longer oppose it with the extreme measures I once did. There is a Taldane phrase I've found disturbingly accurate: 'No man is an island'. It is a commoners phrase but there is Brightness in it. Erastil knows it is appropriate when working with the pathfinders.
It sounds like your mission saved the life on an elven scout and returned an artifact to my people. Without your aid, that scout would be dead... I was a Kyonin scout before joining the Pathfinders.
My time with the Society is nearly done, when I return to Kyonin I shall work to ensure that the elves join the greater community of Golarion, and so that on your next endeavor into Kyonin ruins you have a guide instead of needing to sneak in.
Ami looks visibly relieved.
"Thanks, I'm glad you don't hold it against me. Like I said, I wasn't terribly keen on the idea in the first place. So, how about you, has your wealth of preparation served you well in your last missions?"|
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My preparations most defiantly served me well. I feel that I've been able pay forward the favours senior pathfinders have shown me by adventuring with some junior members, and having the tools to get the team out of a rough spot when our back was against the wall a time or two. Now that those pathfinders have seen and survived the abominations of this world, they are better prepared for future adventure.
These trinkets have saved the lives of my companions and myself in these past few missions. This is a Floating Feather Feather Token, and allows you to fly for a short duration once. I was in Magnimar recently and found it of utmost importance to relocate to another nearly inaccessible firing location, with this token I was able to fly to and land at another perch to get the clear line of fire needed to put down a mad man.
This is a Oil of Bless Weapon, and has been invaluable for putting down the fiendish and abyssal forces I've been encountering recently. It enchants your weapon with the cosmic essence of Good, and aids in cutting through the unholy hides of damned beasts.
These trinkets are costly, but in the end it is a small price to bring the whole team home alive.
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My preparations most defiantly served me well. I feel that I've been able pay forward the favours senior pathfinders have shown me by adventuring with some junior members, and having the tools to get the team out of a rough spot when our back was against the wall a time or two. Now that those pathfinders have seen and survived the abominations of this world, they are better prepared for future adventure.
These trinkets have saved the lives of my companions and myself in these past few missions. This is a Floating Feather Feather Token, and allows you to fly for a short duration once. I was in Magnimar recently and found it of utmost importance to relocate to another nearly inaccessible firing location, with this token I was able to fly to and land at another perch to get the clear line of fire needed to put down a mad man.
This is a Oil of Bless Weapon, and has been invaluable for putting down the fiendish and abyssal forces I've been encountering recently. It enchants your weapon with the cosmic essence of Good, and aids in cutting through the unholy hides of damned beasts.
These trinkets are costly, but in the end it is a small price to bring the whole team home alive.
Ami smiles a bit.
"I"m glad MY suggestion for an Oil of Bless Weapon served you well. As for the flight token . . . is it better than a potion of fly? I'll have to look in on that."
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Ami smiles a bit.
"I"m glad MY suggestion for an Oil of Bless Weapon served you well. As for the flight token . . . is it better than a potion of fly? I'll have to look in on that."
Well... That was your suggestion wasn't it! I'll have a courier deliver a gift basket of wine and cheese.
The flight token is worse than a potion of fly or a wizard casting fly. It doesn't last as long, and it is harder to control your flight, but it is cheaper...
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Well... That was your suggestion wasn't it! I'll have a courier deliver a gift basket of wine and cheese.
The flight token is worse than a potion of fly or a wizard casting fly. It doesn't last as long, and it is harder to control your flight, but it is cheaper...
Ami laughs a bit. "No need for a gift basket, I'm just happy it helped. As for the flight token, I might look into it. These potions of flying are killing me, I have to spend at least 750 gold a mission to get within rapier range."