Unresolved story arcs? (Spoilers for pretty much everything, I guess)

[Quentin Coldwater]

As I was looking through my chronicle sheets for boons, I noticed there are quite a few "<x> will remember this" boons. It got me wondering, are there any unresolved story threads or boons floating around that might hint at a possible comeback? I'll start:

Aslynn:

In The Traitor's Lodge, you get the "Acquainted with Aslynn" boon. You revisit her in Blakros Connection, and some more in Abducted in Aether, but I don't think we actually fought her. So she's still roaming around, right?

No Plunder, No Pay:

In this scenario there's the option of getting the "Waverider's True Revenge" boon, where Jirandiel might come to haunt you. But since there wasn't a way of tracking whether she got away or not, this might be a lost thread.

Many Fortunes of Grandmaster Torch:

Here you get a boon saying you owe Torch a favour. Delirium's Tangle references said favour, but you don't get a boon saying that debt has been repaid. So this could still mean we owe him one favour.

I can't think of any more villains that might've gotten away with an "I'll get you next time!"-speech, but they probably exist. Can you recall any unresolved plot threads/boons? I'm not talking about a "you get a +2 when talking to people from <x>," but real actual "this might be important later" boons.

[Partizanski]

Aslynn's storyline is resolved in Abducted in Aether. Just because you don't beat someone up, doesn't mean that they are still an enemy of the society.

The societies business with her is resolved.

[Slothsy]

Grandmaster Torch is, in general, an unresolved storyline. Like, he may be

Destiny of the Sands:

a jeweled sage now?

.

Beacon Below:

This is also confirmed by the "jewel locator" in the Beacon Below.

Fate of the Fiend:

Did people set the lich free? I know my table did. I don't know about others. This could be something else going on. Or not.

[Quentin Coldwater]

Partizanski wrote:

Aslynn's storyline is resolved in Abducted in Aether. Just because you don't beat someone up, doesn't mean that they are still an enemy of the society.

The societies business with her is resolved.

I more meant that I can't seem to recall the ending of that scenario, hence not knowing if the matter was resolved. I didn't mean to imply we had to fight it.

[BigNorseWolf]

TOOOORRRRRRRRRRCH!

[KingOfAnything]

Quentin Coldwater wrote:

Partizanski wrote:

Aslynn's storyline is resolved in Abducted in Aether. Just because you don't beat someone up, doesn't mean that they are still an enemy of the society.

The societies business with her is resolved.

I more meant that I can't seem to recall the ending of that scenario, hence not knowing if the matter was resolved. I didn't mean to imply we had to fight it.

Abducted in Aether Spoilers:

She finished interrogating Aram Zey before putting his soul on the market. You trade with her for transport to the sakhil's lair.

Aslynn is not a direct adversary at the moment. But, I doubt that she is gone for good.

[Thurston Hillman]

So, I have a personal favorite, which I MAY be somewhat involved with *whistle*

The Onyx Alliance Plot

Spoiler:

- #2-11: The Penumbral Accords
- Grand Convocation 4712
- #4-09: The Blakros Matrimony
- #5-23: Cairn of Shadows
- #6-10: The Wounded Wisp
- #6-99: True Dragons of Absalom

Something of a long-term metaplot that started in Season 2, that I'd love to see get some spotlight in the future. :)

[Dave Setty]

Shades of Ice Part 2: Exiles of Winter:

Do we ever find out what's past the sealed door in the white dragon's room?

[MadScientistWorking]

Partizanski wrote:

Aslynn's storyline is resolved in Abducted in Aether. Just because you don't beat someone up, doesn't mean that they are still an enemy of the society.

The societies business with her is resolved.

No it isn't. There are at least two plotlines that are unresolved one of which is mentioned in Abducted in Aether.

EDIT:
If I had to guess because its overtly stated she's coming back that its going to tie into the Traitor's Lodge because that plot point is still dangling.

[TriOmegaZero]

David Setty wrote:

** spoiler omitted **

Nope.

One loose thread I look forward to resolving is a certain Qadiran slave mistress...

[Quentin Coldwater]

Thurston Hillman wrote:

So, I have a personal favorite, which I MAY be somewhat involved with *whistle*

The Onyx Alliance Plot
** spoiler omitted **

Something of a long-term metaplot that started in Season 2, that I'd love to see get some spotlight in the future. :)

The Alliance! Now that's a long-term plot! I do hope to see them again.

[Woran]

Quentin Coldwater wrote:

Thurston Hillman wrote:

So, I have a personal favorite, which I MAY be somewhat involved with *whistle*

The Onyx Alliance Plot
** spoiler omitted **

Something of a long-term metaplot that started in Season 2, that I'd love to see get some spotlight in the future. :)

The Alliance! Now that's a long-term plot! I do hope to see them again.

Yeah! Gimme more of them!

[Thurston Hillman]

Also, I should mention, that I would LOVE To see more of the Aslynn line continue in one form or another. Especially considering the planar theme of this season.

So many plot threads, so little time!

[Woran]

Thurston, can you write me Return to Round Mountain. Please? Pretty please?

[TwoWolves]

Anyone know what the Sendeli Foxglove's Favor boon was used for?

[Jayson MF Kip]

I'd be interested in seeing a bit more with the Golden League. We defeated a few of their assassins, and (at least in a faction mission) obtained a list of their deep-cover agents and business dealings, but it was never followed up on.

Maybe I'm in the minority but 'Pathfinders v. Yakuza' sounds pretty compelling. And it gives us a reason to get back into Goka. Any reason to be in Goka is a good reason.

[Quentin Coldwater]

I'd like to see Yargos Gill again. He seemed to be set up to be the next Nigel Aldain, with two appearances (Silent Tide and Song of the Sea Witch) and a cameo in Wounded Wisp, but he's been pretty silent as of late.

And once, just once, I'd like Nigel to just acknowledge what we've done for him. Some people think he's a bumbling fool, some think he's an arrogant a*++$$~, I'd just like to see him redeemed somehow.

[UndeadMitch]

TwoWolves wrote:

Anyone know what the Sendeli Foxglove's Favor boon was used for?

It was intended to be for RP purposes mainly. I don't believe there was supposed to be any mechanical benefit to the boon, just that you went above and beyond to help her out. From what I recall from when I ran the scenario, the boon should only go to one person, and only if somebody made an effort to go out of their way to help her out.

[terry_t_uk]

If you have the Sendeli Foxglove boon, you are guarantted a seat at one of the most exclusive restaurants in Absalom - As a Gm, I give you bonuses in any scenario involving her siser, Zeeva.

[bdk86]

Let's try pretty much everything from...

King Xeros of Old Azlant:

• Skarja, The Night Hag-There's a high likelihood that the players let her walk. A Night Hag who is now ancient in age and with a working knowledge where any number of Old Azlant ruins might be? Why was she locked up and so dangerous the Azlanti shipped her off plane at Earthfall? What has she done in the 7 years since? You could write a whole series of scenarios having to track her down to address these questions.
• The Mysterious Black Egg-Zarta claims the ship's true mission and reason for bailing from the material plane was to get this egg as far away as possible. And given Interplanetary travel being somewhat within Old Azlant's reach, it's a bit terrifying to think they felt off plane was necessary instead. When folks find the egg, it's been IMPLANTED in an innocent NPC and has to be surgically removed. What has Zarta done with it since? What was so terrifying about it Old Azlant needed it gone? What is its purpose? This would make a great horror themed Dark Archive metaplot scenario.
• Old Azlant Weaponry-Baron Jacquo Dalsine requested Taldan Pathfinders to steal weaponry from the ship, specifically Defense Constructs & Fire Projectors. I'm not sure if this weaponry would analog now into Technology or remain nebulous magic based tech, but it stands an enemy of the society had access to the best samples of Old Azlant weaponry ever uncovered. With Dalsine gone, who got a hold of these? What did they do with them?
• King Xeros Propulsion Systems-Pasha Al-Jakri bade Qadiran agents to steal information and plans for the King Xeros' propulsion systems. Mahlia has been MIA since The Dalsine Affair...what might happen were she to act on her schemes to recreate a ship like the King Xeros?
• The King Xeros Itself-At the end of the scenario, the ship's Phase Spike powers up and the ship returns to its mysterious automated mission (possibly sans vital cargo!) Where did it go? What will happen if it attempts to complete its mission, only for the Egg and some prisoners to be gone? What happens if its programming brings it back onto the Material Plane again, now that many powers in the Inner Sea are aware of its existence and value?

[John Compton]

This kind of thread is very good. Not only does it show people are paying attention to the narrative arcs, but it's also a solid way to see which arcs folks would like to see resolved (or perpetuated).

[Rei]

bdk86 wrote:

Let's try pretty much everything from...

** spoiler omitted **...

In theory, I would love to see King Xeros return.

In practice, I still haven't fully recovered from when I made the extremely stupid decision to run that monstrosity cold two years ago... I was in a fetal position on the floor by the end. This is not an exaggeration.

[Jayson MF Kip]

And there are two distinct options as to how this one ends:

Fate of the Fiend:

For the groups that "saved the princess", what now?

Is there an "assumed result" in PFS canon?

[bdk86]

Minna Hiltula wrote:

bdk86 wrote:

Let's try pretty much everything from...

** spoiler omitted **...

In theory, I would love to see King Xeros return.

In practice, I still haven't fully recovered from when I made the extremely stupid decision to run that monstrosity cold two years ago... I was in a fetal position on the floor by the end. This is not an exaggeration.

It's one the few scenarios I kept the hand drawn maps on grid paper afterwards, because a) they're hard to draw and b) I want to run it again. My only complaint is that it's got one of the clunkier interactions between 3.5 & Pathfinder (Ethereal creature rules and monsters w/ class levels). This leads to some awkward moments where the alien horror of it all is undercut by underwhelming foes. But it's so well written most folks look past that.

[Quentin Coldwater]

bdk86 wrote:

Let's try pretty much everything from...

** spoiler omitted **...

Ohh, King Xeros did indeed have big ramifications if you think about it. Great find!

[Rei]

In all seriousness, some plotlines I'd be interested in seeing again:

- Jirandiel Waverider should come claim the Waverider's Revenge back from the Society pawn shop.
- Jamila al-Shafah would be a fairly thematic NPC for this season to make a comeback.
- What's up with Bashir al-Mudaris? Is he dead yet? How's Farendir Faireven (the original Pathfinder married into nobility) settling into his new lifestyle?
- I would LOVE to see the cultists of Almaut pop up again just because their deity doesn't even exist. ;P
- Also, what is up with Nuar Spiritskin? He done anything interesting lately?
- We should head out to the Mordant Spire by permission of Sephriel. Seriously, that place is so interesting - why has the Society not tried harder to get in?
- Has Zahra gone on more semi-suicidal missions all on her lonesome?

I... want followups on a lot of NPCs, apparently.

[Mr. Bonkers]

I like this thread, made me remember a lot of plot points I forgot about. For instance, I forgot about Sephriel and the Mordant Spire.

- I want to see the King Xeros return, I liked that scenario.
- We parted on friendly terms with a group of Grippli, and gained a boon that helps us interact with them. So let's go back and strengthen that bond.
- I honestly forgot about the Onyx Alliance. I know who they are, but they show up so sporadically that I keep forgetting about them.
- I LOVED the Zyphus cult! The first two scenarios were amazing, but the third was a bit... less amazing. That one was more like "It was ME all along!", with a response of "Who are you...?". So please grant the cult some new blood and bring them back!
- What are the whereabouts of Pasha Muhlia Al-Jakri? She fled the scene, and later we found a hideout she had rescently fled.
-On that same note, I like to see Jairo the Enlighter again. Maybe he is free, or we can go on a quest to free him from his servitute. It's the planar season, let's free a Djinni.
- Not only haven't we found the tomb of Sempet Sevenfingers yet, but apparently he also had dealings with the Denizens of Leng. Let's find out more about this legendary pirate.

[Woran]

Did the society ever do something with the Atavistic Splinter? I would love a Tide of Twilight follow up.

[Belabras]

Did we ever find out what happened with the artifact from the end of Among the Living? I can't remember if that was addressed in Among the Dead or not.

[Auke Teeninga]

Belabras wrote:

Did we ever find out what happened with the artifact from the end of Among the Living? I can't remember if that was addressed in Among the Dead or not.

Among the Living:

The artifact actually needs to be destroyed as it's impossible to leave the operahouse while it is intact

[Belabras]

Auke Teeninga wrote:

Belabras wrote:

Did we ever find out what happened with the artifact from the end of Among the Living? I can't remember if that was addressed in Among the Dead or not.

** spoiler omitted **

Looks like it is my memory that needs to be resolved then.

[TwoWolves]

Mitch Mutrux wrote:

TwoWolves wrote:

Anyone know what the Sendeli Foxglove's Favor boon was used for?

It was intended to be for RP purposes mainly. I don't believe there was supposed to be any mechanical benefit to the boon, just that you went above and beyond to help her out. From what I recall from when I ran the scenario, the boon should only go to one person, and only if somebody made an effort to go out of their way to help her out.

I have that boon, and I'm not sure if I was the only one at the table to get it, I was running my Charming (trait + 18 Charisma) cleric of Iomedae (Lawful Good), so it's entirely possible I went above and beyond to help her. I just assumed, given her surname and the open-ended nature of the boon that it cropped up again somewhere and I just missed it.

[Dave Setty]

Echoes of the Everwar Part 2:

So, the Watcher of Ages has been sitting down there recording all the important events of history - for ten thousand years. In the low subtier, it's willing to talk; in 10-11 it attacks immediately, but it's possible if difficult to parley with it even then. This should be a big deal.

As I commented to someone I played this one with, the actual Sky Key Solution is "Screw the Sky Key, just ask the roper."

[Rei]

Oh, and I am going to NEED a followup on what the Society found during the events of The Twisted Circle. (I also still need to play it, after running it twice.)

[Dhenn]

A couple others, that might not strictly qualify as unresolved arcs, including a few from general lore as opposed to specific scenarios. Trying to avoid specific spoilers.

The Jistka Imperium shows up in the "of the Fiend" sequence, and a couple scenarios since. I've really enjoyed all of those, and the limited supply of information makes it more intriguing than more thoroughly explored ancient countries (like Thassilon and Osirion), IMO.

The Topaz Sage: As I understand it, we currently have two confirmed sages, one jewel MIA, one destroyed, and one who's outcome hasn't been settled due to appearance in a season 7 scenario. There's also the topaz gem, currently collecting dust in the headquarters. The Scarab Sages have identified a number of candidates, maybe it's time to pull the trigger. Related Note:

#5-16 Sanctum of the Sages and #6-04 Beacon Below:

Sanctum of the Sages introduces two "beyond the scope of this adventure" doors, one of which is explored in Beacon below. Maybe we can go through the other sometime?

The Quantium Lodge There have been a few scenarios, including the Wounded Wisp, that have started looking at the early history of the Society. Quantium's home to the first Lodge outside Absalom, and as far as I'm aware we've never gone there. Plus, it seems like a good city for library adventures and/or something just plain weird.

Society-Tapestry Relations While I'm excited for some true plane-hopping, I'd also be interested to see some of the aftermath of our recent conflict with some of the inhabitants of the Tapestry. Whether that means dealing with those who escaped or those who stayed behind, I think it's an interesting dynamic with some worthwhile ethical questions to explore.

But most importantly:

True Dragons of Absalom Spoilers:

Hats! What is he wearing this season? Fashion-Forward Shelynites want to know!

[John Compton]

D Hennessey wrote:

But most importantly:

** True Dragons of Absalom spoiler omitted **

Bits of Traitor's Lodge and True Dragons:

Bursts of flash powder illuminate the runway at this year's premier of Absalom's Fall Fashion Extravaganza. From the wings, our star commentators return to narrate the grandeur.

Zarta Dralneen: Ah, and we're back, witnessing the finest that the Inner Sea has to offer. Joining me as always is my hapless companion, the inestimable Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine. Kreighton?
Kreighton Shaine: *Looks up abruptly from his studious attempt to build a scale model of the Starstone Cathedral out of spent wands of cure light wounds* Wait? What are we—oh! Yes, very excited! Glad to be a part of this year's Miss Alchemical Innovator awards!
Zarta: *Whispers furiously*
Kreighton: Ha! Oh, right, I got my dates confused. Well, in the interest of avoiding more awkwardness, allow me to introduce my fashion understudy, Valais Durant.
Zarta: ...Your what?
Valais: I hunger for the flesh of the fashion forward! I can't wait for this event to get underway so that ALL MIGHT WITNESS MY GLORY.
Zarta: ...That's...well, I wouldn't want to be hypocritical, so let's see the first of this evening's pieces. Ah, Osprey is sporting an eccentric piece crafted from genuine size Gargantuan white dragon hide—a perfect fit for the chilly weather we're expecting this Kuthona.
Valais: Why a white dragon?
Kreighton: Ah, they're immune to cold.
Valais: FLESH IS FOR THE WEAK.
Kreighton: *Ahem* Um, quite right. Oh, Zarta, the next in line looks to be Drendle Dreng, sporting—
Zarta: Eau de Puddles District, from what I can tell. *Looks at the program* This is quite a surprise, as Dreng was banned from the runway in 4713 following the sleeves of many garments fiasco. How did he get up there, anyway?
Valais: Flense his flesh from his—
Kreighton: Quite unnecessary!
Zarta: Now that we've cleared out the riffraff, we have our next ensemble. Ambrus Valsin is sporting a mithral chain shirt by Holgarin Smine Studios cinched with a belt of physical perfection. I like the cloak of resistance—very classic, albeit uninspired. The jingasa just seems so out of place.
Kreighton: So last printing.
Zarta: Agreed.
Valais: I've always found that headwear's style clashes with most outfits WORN BY MY FUTURE SUBJECTS.
Kreighton: Um, Valais?
Valais: Yes? Is something wrong?
Zarta and Kreighton meet eyes, look at Valais, and announce "nevermind" in unison*
Kreighton: Ah, look at that. If I'm not mistaken, that's Eliza Petulengro showing off the latest from Decemvirate Designs: a combination robe of the archmagi and robe of arcane heritage in shades of purple, green, and arcane bloodline—clearly aimed at the Tier 10–11 crowd. I like how it offsets the hue of her deathwatch eyes' lenses.
Valais: In the Decemvirate's eyes, all are dead.
Zarta: Um, too soon, Valais.
*Zarta makes urgent "get her out of here" motions to Kreighton*
Kreighton: Ah, Valais? I hear there are cookies out in the lobby. Why don't you grab a few and take ten?
Valais: Oh, are they the sandwich kind? I love the cream-filled center OPPRESSED BY ITS PASTRY OVERLORDS. Bye!
*Valais departs, whispering under her breath*
Zarta: It looks like we've missed a few, so we're down to the protest submission entitled "Blood of my Enemies" by one of our more eccentric designers, someone who operates under the pseudonym Dr. Field Commission. For those in the audience who didn't follow the summer cycle, Dr. Commission has lobbied for battlefield gore to grant as much as a +3 armor bonus to AC, to no effect.
Kreighton: From the look of that get-up, he'll be hard pressed not to freeze in the first snowfall!
Zarta: And that concludes Absalom's Fall Fashion Extrava—Wait! There's a final model: Hat's, Terror of the Headgear Host!
Kreighton: Perhaps it's that circlet of persuasion, but this ensemble is smashing! Combined with a helm of brilliance and a mask of a thousand tomes, I've seen fewer stars in a seeker arc!
Hats: Whoa oh! Can't see! Know too much! Gems make colors!
Zarta: And that concludes the event. See you next season!

[RealAlchemy]

Aren't there further areas to explore in Drow of the Darklands Pyramids that are beyond the scope of that scenario? Always looking for more excuses to take my deep delving dwarf ranger back underground.

[Rogue Eidolon]

Minna Hiltula wrote:

- Jamila al-Shafah would be a fairly thematic NPC for this season to make a comeback.

Or has she already?

[Hmm]

John Compton wrote:

D Hennessey wrote:

But most importantly:

** True Dragons of Absalom spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **...

John, you have no idea how much I want a scenario that starts like that.

The many fashions of Grand Master Torch?

Hmm

[TriOmegaZero]

The best part is I always see John playing Kreighton Shaine. I blame Legacy of the Stonelords.

[Dhenn]

John Compton wrote:

D Hennessey wrote:

But most importantly:

** True Dragons of Absalom spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **...

Thank you SO MUCH for that! Though I do need to now drop everything and go make the Shelynite Fashion Police Inquisitor I've been considering for a while now.

[rknop]

I also often visualize Shaine as Compton (or is it vice versa?), also because of the PaizoCon Legacy of the Stonelords.

Just the other day I was thinking that the King Xeros needs to show up in the Elemental Plane of Water....

[Isabelle Lee]

For the record, I'm desperate to see more done with the Jistka Imperium. (I'm even more desperate to be the one writing it, though!)

[Kalindlara]

John Compton wrote:

D Hennessey wrote:

But most importantly:

** True Dragons of Absalom spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **...

This is the greatest thing. ^_^

[Mimo Tomblebur]

It is extremely probable that Chrysalis Black escaped. Being one of our most twisted villains, I would love to know what he, and his mother, have been up to.

[pauljathome]

Eric Ives wrote:

It is extremely probable that Chrysalis Black escaped. Being one of our most twisted villains, I would love to know what he, and his mother, have been up to.

I quite liked him in some ways as a villain. Even if his alignment is in the running for the single silliest thing that Paizo has EVER said when describing a NPC.

[Wei Ji the Learner]

Let's see:

Loose ends...

Whatever happened to

Assault on the Wound:

All the armies raised that didn't appear in Stonelords?

Horn of Aroden:

Did the Society ever get that fixed?

Valley of the Veiled Flame:

We liberated the place, what's been happening there since that? Is that the canon?

Jistkan commentary: Huge spoiler:

So far I've a character that's run into (eventual) Jistkan ruins in part two of last year's three-parter, and also in Heresy of Man part two. A different one encountered some in Fate of the Fiend. For such an Imperium, it might be interesting to see more of their influence/impact on say, Cheliax.

Tien Xia as a whole seems like... it needs a lot more love. It's an amazing place to adventure in, but there's this feeling that there's so much story I'm missing that could be cool.

Also, I'm non-Hats affiliated, but most assuredly I do wish to see the esteemed entity feature a more prominent role in a future adventure... perhaps... dare I say it... The Many Torches of Grandmaster Hats?

[Isabelle Lee]

Regarding Jistkan commentary: Huge spoiler: what you're asking for is 100% what I'm hoping for a chance at. ^_^

For what little we currently know, I recommend checking out Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Lost Kingdoms.

[UndeadMitch]

Wei Ji the Learner wrote:

Let's see:

Loose ends...

Whatever happened to

Assault on the Wound

** spoiler omitted **

I don't think this is really a loose end...:

I imagine that having provided the distraction so that the higher-level Pathfinders could make their way to Jormurdun, they went back to doing whatever armies in the Worldwound do. Crusade and slay demons and the like.

[Quentin Coldwater]

Chrysalis Black... *Shudders.* Not sure if there's potential for a second story, but I'd love it if he returned.