Recently, You have all been summoned to deal with a very unusual case. A semi-retired pathfinder by the name of Kalkamedes has been struck be an unusual condition and you have been summoned to his home where Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch waits.
Venture-Captain Sheila Heidmarch glances out a window as the last wisps of twilight fade over the Fenwall Mountains. Turning from the sight, she runs her hand along the rustic cabin’s wall and stands beside an occupied wooden bed before addressing you.
“This,” the venture captain says, gesturing to the man thrashing around violently, straining against the bonds that lash him securely to the bed, “is our colleague, Kalkamedes. Every night for several weeks now, he has fallen into a deep slumber and tried to sleepwalk right out of his cottage. If not restrained, he marches straight north, eventually falling off a cliff or into a bog as if trying to get himself killed in an attempt to reach an unknown goal.” As though he were expressing disagreement, the man tied to the bed suddenly begins pumping his limbs even harder, the violent spasms threatening to smash the bed into splinters.
“There are those who have recently criticized the Pathfinders for our indifference to the plight of our fellow field agents. It’s time to show that’s not true. I want you to help Kalkamedes, whether he wants it or not. Several of our best spellcasters have attempted an extensive list of magical cures, but whatever sleepwalking curse or effect he’s under tenaciously resists our efforts. All we can do is keep him safe.” Heidmarch pats him with a degree of professional affection, and Kalkamedes rewards her by trying to swat her with his head.
“Kalkamedes’s friends are at their wits’ end, so we are going to attempt the only thing that we have not tried: we’re going to let him go tonight. That’s where you come in. I want you to follow him and keep him safe and in one piece. Let him get to wherever his addled brain thinks he needs to go so badly. Maybe, just maybe, if he gets there, you can find a way to help him. Maybe you can determine who or what did this to him and find a way to undo it.” Heidmarch pulls out a serrated knife. “Now before I cut him free, does anyone have any questions or last minute preparations?”
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The black-eyed blue-feathered tengu Arashi bobs his head at the venture captain's words. "This is wise I think. Better to go find the things that bedevil our nights rather than cower in our beds. Or be tied to them. We should not keep him from his destiny. I wonder though, does he always take a specific route north? Does he travel unerringly north or take whatever northward trail he stumbles upon first?"
The black-eyed blue-feathered tengu Arashi bobs his head at the venture captain's words. "This is wise I think. Better to go find the things that bedevil our nights rather than cower in our beds. Or be tied to them. We should not keep him from his destiny. I wonder though, does he always take a specific route north? Does he travel unerringly north or take whatever northward trail he stumbles upon first?"
"We searched up north for whatever it was he was looking for but in his addled mind he seems to keep taking a different route, but each one going up north somewhere, but we aren't certain where." she states looking over her dear friend who continues to struggle with all his might.
Kalkamedes is a veteran Pathfinder, though his fame does not extend beyond southern Varisia. Although he is now semi-retired and only forwards the occasional report to the Decemvirate these days, his colleagues continue to respect him for his many prior accomplishments.
Late in his career, Kalkamedes developed an interest in lore of the ancient runelords and the rare heroes who dared to oppose the runelords’ tyranny. He relocated from Absalom to Varisia for the chance to further his study.
arly in his adventuring career, Kalkamedes swore the oaths to become a paladin and served as a staunch defender of the meek; however, years later he abruptly left his holy order. Few truly understood his decision.
Kalkamedes was sometimes seen carrying a broken sword. Few but his closest friends know that it is actually a sentient blade, and it and Kalkamedes were inseparable.
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"It might pay for one of us to be scouting ahead of him, depending on how fast he travels and how predictable his movements are. Maybe there is a way to slow his progress to make him more manageable ? Certainly we must be prepared to restrain him if he seems to be heading for danger, I have rope. A bell is a good idea I think."
"It might pay for one of us to be scouting ahead of him, depending on how fast he travels and how predictable his movements are. Maybe there is a way to slow his progress to make him more manageable ? Certainly we must be prepared to restrain him if he seems to be heading for danger, I have rope. A bell is a good idea I think."
"Bell and rope would be a splended idea. After we untie him you can use this rope as a tether." she states and thinks about your idea of scouting "that might be possible, but as we do not know yet where he might be heading, you shouldn't scout too far ahead. I am sure Kalkamedes would not mind if you borrowed a few items here to help with this journey."
"Agreed, we will not range too far ahead."
Whilst N'Neka is busy Arashi and Amahl find many interesting things.
First Arashi manages to find in the wardrobe Kalkamedes' outdoor clothing (an explorer's outfit) and a pair of strong boots. A drawer in the end of the table next to his bed contains several unfinished charts mapping the Fenwall Mountains.
As sharp as Arashi is, Amahl manages to accidently knock against the stove, opening it and billowing out a pile of coal. Amungst the coal is a half-burnt rough drawing of what appears to be a building and with the coal gone you can see a hidden lever inside the stove.
After finding it isn't a trap, you pull the leaver to release a catch under a bunch of water barrels to reveal a locked chest.
Inside you find Kalkamedes's adventuring gear. Bracers of Armour +1, a mud-splattered cloak of resistance +1, an elixir of swimming, a dried gourd containing a potion of cure light wounds, a jagged-shaped mithral flask with jigsaw-like edges that contained potion of hide from undead, a razor-sharp flask that doubles as a caltrop or an improvised dagger and what appears to be a well crafted magic sword, but appears broken with a massive crack in the center of it. Besides the broken state, it appears to be a +1 allying Mithral longsword.
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Arashi gives a soft croak of surprise at the discovery of the hidden chest.
"Interesting! He has the chest, presumably he has the key? Is it acceptable for us to search his person?
Arashi searches through Kalkamede's clothing a personal effects for a key. He tries to respectfully check Kalkamedes for a key or other clue secreted on his person.
Though he is apparently too distracted to do a very good job of it.
"I have no facility with locks, but this looks important. Can anybody here open it?"
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Arashi cocks his head to the side.
"I'm curious to see hypnotism at work! I admit I know nothing about it. I wonder if it can do what the Pathfinder casters could not not? Insofar is this chest is concerned, if none of us can open it perhaps we must embrace destruction? Sometimes it pleases Hei Feng for events to end in splinters."
Arashi cocks his head to the side.
"I'm curious to see hypnotism at work! I admit I know nothing about it. I wonder if it can do what the Pathfinder casters could not not? Insofar is this chest is concerned, if none of us can open it perhaps we must embrace destruction? Sometimes it pleases Hei Feng for events to end in splinters."
For some some reason Kalkamedes's key was well hidden under the bed in a mass of clothing.
With a smile on her face I wonder what the irony would be tengu if I placed you in a trance and suggested that you act like a human?
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As Arashi roots around for the key he responds to M. "An interesting question I suppose, though I can't imagine why you would like for me to act like a human. I suppose there is only one way to find out. If that is what you want, do it! If you can.
Upon finding the key Arashi seizes it with a swift motion and unlocks the chest. He let's out a whistle of appreciation at the trove within.
"Here he has stored the things most valuable to him. Some of these items are of obvious value... but the drawing... Maybe this is the place he is drawn to? Do you recognize this place Venture Captain? Does it seem consistent with any of these incomplete charts? And the sword, a fine weapon badly damaged, do you know anything about it?
In any case we should make use of these items to protect our charge. Let us divide them and be on our way. Amahi if you are a fighting man maybe you could use these bracers as you are likely to find yourself confronted at close range by anything hostile we encounter."
As Arashi roots around for the key he responds to M. "An interesting question I suppose, though I can't imagine why you would like for me to act like a human. I suppose there is only one way to find out. If that is what you want, do it! If you can.
Upon finding the key Arashi seizes it with a swift motion and unlocks the chest. He let's out a whistle of appreciation at the trove within.
"Here he has stored the things most valuable to him. Some of these items are of obvious value... but the drawing... Maybe this is the place he is drawn to? Do you recognize this place Venture Captain? Does it seem consistent with any of these incomplete charts? And the sword, a fine weapon badly damaged, do you know anything about it?
In any case we should make use of these items to protect our charge. Let us divide them and be on our way. Amahi if you are a fighting man maybe you could use these bracers as you are likely to find yourself confronted at close range by anything hostile we encounter."
The venture captain simply shrugs at the picture.
"I have never seen it before. There isn't much in the drawing to go on, but when we investigated up north we didn't see anything that looks like that." She smiles as she recognizes the blade "He and that sword were inseparable, but I do not know why. It appears well crafted besides the massive crack in the middle."
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"It shines! Fascinating! What can this mean?"
"Very well, we will simply have to see where he leads us, and keep an eye out for anything resembling the drawing. I can keep the blade safe, slung over my shoulder. I know how to use one if the occasion arrises."
You could try to dress him, but as you can see he keeps fighting his bonds and it's obvious his only interest is going to whatever is calling him.
"Let us tether the man then, and be on our way soon. Perhaps the strongest among us should hold onto the rope.
"Let us tether the man then, and be on our way soon. Perhaps the strongest among us should hold onto the rope.
The venture captain smiles and nods.
"Yes that's his blade. He and it were often inseparable. It would be very useful if you run into trouble, despite being broken." she states and looks back to Kalkamedes. "Make sure you can keep up with him. He isn't likely to slow down and wait for you."
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"I don't know about the rest of you, but if I found myself foundering in bogs at night I would sleep with my boots on. Human's are strange at best though, I can't speak to your habits."
"Very well, let's get this man dressed. Better he stays warm and doesn't trip over his robe. We can use ropes to tie him down. Securing his arms first to dress the lower half, and then reversing. I have manacles if they will help."
Arashi will also leave behind most of the contents of his inquisitor's kit except for the manacles, pill component pouch and holy symbol to ensure light encumbrance.
Unfortunately he's not very helpful.
With that done Arashi stands up holding Kalkamedes' tether. "Sorry my friend, it's never pleasant to cage another. I suggest we move forward with one of us to either side, one behind him holding the tether and a scout in front. I propose myself for the scout."
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"Excellent! Let's rig the rope about his waist and shoulders to avoid placing undue strain on him. We can keep the manacles for an emergency but it seems dangerous to hobble him with them now. If I need to move ahead to check out a dangerous seeming area we might use them, or perhaps the three of you can provide enough drag to give me time to work. What say you humans, shall we fly the coop? Keep your shiny objects at hand, I may need cheering up if this goes long enough!
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Securing himself to the sleepwalking Pathfinder, Amahl checks the harness again and again, just to be sure it is secured and not harming the sleepwalker.
"Fresh from my Confirmation and my first duty is to walk the Pathfinder! Saranrae above, but the gods have a delicious sense of humor, do they not?" He reaches into a pouch and pulls out an Ioun Torch, a hovering stone giving off light and allows it to be begin orbiting his head. Then, in a stroke of inspiration, he plucks it and places it in orbit around Kalkamedes' head. "There! Now we shall be able to spot him easily in the dark. Unfortunately, so shall any foes, but let us pray that this walk is swift, easy and without battle!"
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Amahl smiles at the druid. "Mistress, you seem to be acquainted with the ways of nature. Would you kindly hold onto this for me? It might come in handy and while I found it useful, you may be able to make better use of it during our travels. And travails!" Amahl removes a small wand and offers it to N'Neka. It is a Cure Light Wounds Wand with only 8 charges remaining. "Pray, mistress, do not fear to use it should the need arise!"
The Venture captain wishes you good luck on your journey as you head off, Kalkamedes leading the way in his sleep in the direction of directly north.
Even though his eyes are closed he appears to continue to know which direction he is heading for and pulls you in that direction.
After half an hour Arashi notices that Kalkamedes had just twisted his ankle awkwardly whilst he was walking, but that doesn't wake nor stop the sleeping man.
Though Arashi attempts, he fails in finding a way to reset the ankle as Kalkamedes continues to walk on his damaged ankle. He is clearly walking on his damaged ankle.
N'Neka manages to fix the ankle and Kalkameds continues to walk normally know.
The spell makes it obvious to her that Kalkameds is heading in the direction of Polar North at the moment.