Please dot in here.
The group begins at the Grand Lodge in Absalom where everyone joins a gathering of several hundred Pathfinders for an announcement by Ianareth Alazario, Cheliax's newly appointed liaison to the Pathfinder Society. With her on stage is Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus, and the former Chelish liaison Zarta Dralneen looks on from the front row of the auditorium.
A tall, heavy-set woman wearing a black-lacquered breastplate and a sweeping ruby cloak rests a hand on the gold pommel of the longsword at her hip as she readies to address the Pathfinders assembled at the Grand Lodge. She nods once to Marcos Farabellus before beginning. “I am Ianareth Alazario, and I come to you with words spoken by Her Infernal Majestrix, Queen Abrogail II of the Thrice-Damned House of Thrune. Pathfinders, your exile is at an end. Cheliax welcomes you once again.”
Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus vigorously leads a round of applause that echoes off the sturdy walls following the new declaration. Ianareth’s smile is as wide as her host’s, though it falters slightly when her gaze falls on her disgraced predecessor Zarta Dralneen. Ianareth continues, “With your help, I would mend the rifts between us and forge an enduring friendship. I have entrusted your Master of Swords with several promising leads found within our borders. To that I add only this: Pathfinders, the glory of Cheliax is placed in your care.” Ianareth bows deeply to Marcos and then to the crowd before taking her leave.
Marcos Farabellus steps behind the lectern and announces, “I’ve gathered a handful of teams to lead these initial expeditions, and I’ve posted those outside with times to meet me in my office for more details. There’s rewarding work ahead, so don’t be late!” With that, the auditorium begins to empty. Walking briskly with infinite poise and a clenched jaw, Zarta Dralneen is the first to disappear through the doors.
As promised, Marcos Farabelluls has posted a list of half a dozen teams to lead these first sanctioned expeditions, and one of these teams includes each of you!
|
An extremely well-dressed elf checks the list, turning to the others on it nearby. His clothing is immaculately pressed, and twisted gold jewelery adorns both his wrist and neck, oddly incongruous though, is a single, slightly tattered feather on a piece of leather strung about his neck. Pl aces his hands on his sword hilts, expertly crafted shortswords match on the right and left and he has a roguish twinkle in his eye. He bows fluidly to those accompanying him, Good day to you all, My name is Andrelis. This should be exciting, a return to Cheliax in store for us!
He looks sidelong at Gareleth, prompting his adopted 'brother' to answer.
|
|
Gareleth was mildly distracted looking at Zarta and watching her exit.
Turning at Anderlis' voice, he says, "Isn't that the woman who offered to make me a father again?" he said, still not understanding what she was implying. "Horrible adoption service she runs."
Gareleth is a slender Half-Orc with shoulder-length black hair. He is dressed in a long leather jacket which covers an interesting mixture of clothing items that looked like they might have been gathered on a sight seeing tour of Golarion. His scarf is of Varisian make, he has a Tian-style shirt, and his sash seem Osiriani in origin. Hanging at his hip is a wicker-looking scorpion whip.
It then occurs to him that maybe there was a mission briefing and he says, "Oh, are we going somewhere? I'll have to pick up a lovely gift for Hallin," he says, referencing his adopted son.
|
A tall, austere-looking elf, with bluish-green skin and dark hair, Nereus is an aquatic elf... unintentionally doing his best to look uncomfortable, and out of place, on land.
He watches the spectacle, and announcement with a slight frown, not joining in on the applause. His only experiences with the landbound nation of Cheliax were all bad, mostly dealing with the countless scores of dead sailors sent to the bottom of the Arcadian Ocean by the Chelish Navy, often little more than pirates themselves. Not mention that Cheliax was basically a material extension of the evils of hell, and had been for nearly a century.
The willingness of surface-dwellers to bow to the evil of the outer planes so easily, was forever baffling to him. Though it did go a long way to explain why his own people, rarely interacted with them. Just another reason he often question his own participation in allying with the Pathfinders, who ofttimes showed little better judgement than those in Cheliax.
He nods to both Andrelis and Gareleth, though it seems more a matter of formality than any indication of comradery.
"It would seem we are to work together once again." He says, though its hard to tell if he views that as a good or bad thing. "Though I would not be so eager to visit that infernal nation."
|
Yuzu is the last to join the group at their posting, and smiles when she sees Gareleth and Andrelis among them-- and is pleasantly surprised to see Nereus again, as well, though he is not quite as familiar.
She wears a yukata, and carries a simple staff.
She considers the new member of the group and gives a quick, respectful bow.
"Good day to you, and the rest as well;
Our assignment takes us to the embassy of Hell.
Should devils rise and men betray,
My blade shall keep the beasts at bay."
This rag tag group of Pathfinders shouldn't dally long - they have the first meeting with Farabellus and it's scheduled shortly after the presentation ended! They decide to head to the Master of Swords for their meeting.
As you enter, Zarta Dralneen stands across the Master of Sword's desk, her back turned to you. She momentarily acknowledges the newcomers before continuing to lecture Farabellus. "Beware the good intensions of a Chelish diplomat. Who controls whom behind closed doors in Cheliax, and who are we serving by heeding the call of Abrogail's infernal masters?"
Marcos strokes his beard for a moment, buying time to phrase his reply. "Caution is warranted, but you shouldn't let past follies color your opinion of this opportunity, Zarta. This is our chance to freely operate within Cheliax again. The doors of Delvehaven may still be closed, but we can start to mend soured relations.". Marcos turns to the recently arrived agents. "I expected everyone who takes an assignment to conduct themselves as diplomats as well as explorers. We don't need a public debacle to ruin our welcome, again."
Zarta straightens her back and glares imperiously down at her counterpart. "Folly? One day you will look between the sheets and see you've climbed into bed with a snake, Marcos. I sincerely hope none of your agents find themselves in desperate need of a retrieval team; I remind you that devils work quickly to strip hope from one's senses.". She turns and strides out of the room.
The Master of Swords massages his forehead with one hand and motions to chairs with the other. "Lady Dralneen assumes that we take Cheliax entirely at its word. Ianareth Alazario provided me an incomplete history of a small keep in the Eismonts called Emberhold, once property of House Davian. The reason we don't hear much of the Davians anymore is that they led the resistance against House Thrune during the Chelish civil war, and her infernal majerstrix is not known for showing mercy. I'm sending you to explore the site, learn what you can about what happened there, and bring back any information about the Davians."
He leans forward and lowers his voice before adding, "You'll be travelling through Corentyn, and I'd like you to pay a visit to the Museum of History there first. The curator, Zefiro Balinger, is an acquaintance of the Society and may have details not available in the offical records. Get Balinger's help, then visit Emberhold.". Marcos presents a small folded map. "You'll leave Absalom aboard the Sea Sylph in two days - Society's picking up the tab. It's been years since we've had first-hand reports coming out of Cheliax, so be ready for anything."
|
|
Paracountess, a pleasure as always! Andrelis bows deeply with a roguish grin. I trust you are well still these days? Do let me know if you require further assistance someday.
After she leaves, So we're to see Zefiro in Corentyn and then pass along to this abandoned keep, might we not learn more in a few taverns along the way? Ah well, we do as we're told!Andrelis laughs, Finally going somewhere with decent wine! About time. We'll have to be careful not to advertise who we are then publically?
Tapping his sword hilts Andrelis thinks out loud... Perhaps we should stock up on some silver stock as well...
|
|
Gareleth gives the paracountess a wave rather than a proper bow. "Ah yes, assistance. Indeed. Ready whenever you want me, m'lady," he says, once again unaware of how Zarta might interpret such a statement.
At Andrelis' mention of not advertising who they are, Gareleth says, "Ah yes. Disguises again, eh, Andy? Just like that time in Jalmeray when we passed ourselves off as traveling merchants. Sounds like fun," and he gives a nod and a smile. Then he ponders Anderlis' statement about silver and says, "Wouldn't it be easier to just carry gold? Or do people rarely have change in Cheliax? You know I don't mind tipping," he says, completely missing that the suggestion related to weapons.
|
|
Yuzu does give the paracountess a bow, but it's not quite as low or as long as she usually gives.
"A pleasure to see you again, Lady Dralneen,
A Chelaxian visit has made us all keen."
Once the paracountess has departed, she listens closely to the briefing.
She ponders, and decides to pick out a silver wakizashi when she can get to it, and considers which kami she should pray to for protection along the way.
|
|
Nereus nods, at pretty much everything the Paracountess says, her own thoughts on the matter quite closely echoing his own.
He nods at her as she leaves, though says nothing else, having never met the woman before.
He continues to listen with a austere look on his face... that only lightens up slightly when he hears they will be traveling by sea for the first leg of the journey.
"Much of the Chelish navy docks in Corentyn." He says. "Not a pleasant lot, even by land-bound standards."
Zarta barely looks at the group as she departs but gives Andrelis a quick nod and a wink.
None of the Pathfinders seem to recall any information about Zarta, House Davian, or Cheliax customs.
On the morning of the next day, Marcos sends an aide to the docks with a message for the Pathfinders. . Zarta is sending an agent of her own - Cassian Redwold. Cassian tends to the gear supplied by the Pathfinder Society, readying it for the journey in the hold of the Sea Sylph. The supplies are mostly mundane archeological equipment including shovels, mattocks, brushes of different sizes, rope, sieves, and numerous crates and packing straw with which to safely store artifacts during the reutrn trip. There is also a small mount of gold for import and export fees as well as to buy riding horses in Corentyn.
The journey from Absalom to Corentyn is uneventful, with favorable winds and only one stop at the port of Merab. Captain Zaerim of the Sea Sylph states that the short waylay is an excuse to hug the southern shores of the Inner Sea and avoid Chelish naval patrols. The Pathfinders soon catch their first glimpse of the red Chelish flag days later and they arrive in Corentyn at dusk a few days after that.
|
|
Gareleth decides that the best way to make sure he can follow through with the Venture-Captain's orders regarding Corentyn is by keeping his friends close and his enemies closer...and since there aren't any enemies at the moment, he decides to get close to Corentyn.
"Greetings, friend, Zarta sent you, eh? Lovely woman. Offered to make me a father," Gareleth says, his complete lack of social skill, tact, or an understanding of nuance on full display.
|
|
Before leaving Andrelis will buy 4 alchemical silver weapon blanch (-20 GP).
Looking at Marcos' letter, Andrelis thinks about it more, What will this Cassian be doing here? Keeping tabs on them will add a whole new layer of interesting to our lives...
Greetings Cassian, my name's Andrelis, might I ask, what's your area of specialty? Its useful to know these things ahead of heading out into the wilderness. We've got Yuzu and her horse, Gareleth and his magic, I'm a scout and socialite. Nereus is a holy man who is great in a fight, and Parrameleh; who I think is a wilderness guide of some kind, although we haven't worked together before...
|
|
Before their journey, Yuzu goes to the shrine of Daikitsu on the Grand Lodge grounds. With a few claps and bows, she honors her goddess, and prays to the shrine kami for protection.
As usual for ship rides, she spends most of her time with Satsuki, who has yet to be completely comfortable upon the waves. That said, she'll happily socialize with anyone who wanders into the hold with her.
Cassian doesn't speak much to the Pathfinders - in fact he hides below deck for the most part. "I'm just a simple agent. Don't know anything about Zarta's note or what she has in store for me. I'm content to stay aboard while you explore Corentyn."
As the Pathfinders arrive in Corentyn, the last fiery golden rays of daylight silhouette the towering monument known as Aroden's Arch, which reaches out from Corentyn's southern wall to divide the Arcadian Ocean and the Inner Sea. Corentyn's numerous fortifications rise behnd mighty gray and brown limestone walls. Masts of ships both in port and at sea rise in the hundreds, like a legion pointing their spears towards the heavens.
As the Sea Sylph approaches port, Captain Zaerim orders his crew to ensure goods are neatly arranged and presentable. He's collecting papers and seeing to the accuracy of his logs when he tells the Pathfinders they should do the same. "I expect the harbormaster's deputies to search the ship and ask questions of the crew. I also providing you with a warning - Corentyn impounds undeclared goods and that contraband worth more than a gold piece can earn the offending captain (me) 20 lashes."
These things are considered contraband.
-Holy symbols and holy texts dedicated to chaotic gods
-Scrolls and potions with the chaotic descriptor
-Poisons whose combined cost exceeds 150 gp
-Drugs whose combined costs exceeds 50 gp
-Large weapons
A small riot is threatening to spill over from the nearby Open Slave Market. City guards bide their time, apparently waiting for Hellknight reinforcements. A few of the armor-clad enforcers are looking not at the crowd, but to the harbor waters.
A halfling customs agent named Tamrin Credence and his four human deputies climb aboard the Sea Sylph within moments of docking. Tamrin, a careful and meticulous halfling, does his best to wear a strained smile as he interacts with the Pathfinders. The underlings seem to be a disrespectful lot, overstepping their authority in regards to their foreman. They immediately take the manifest and begin a thorough search, making notations as they go.
The search is somewhat frantic and the deputies are barely looking at the actual crate contents.
|
|
"What sorts of things are contraband here?
I have little else but samurai gear."
She decides not to comment, but when she manages to find herself not in the immediate presence of the customs agents(?), she whispers to her companions:
"Their eyes jump from one crate to another;
Searching for a single thing and disregarding others."
|
|
Andrelis runs down in his mind the things 'outlawed' in Cheliax, He looks over his fellow pathfinders, assessing for a moment, No one has a holy symbol to a chaotic deity do they? Cayden or Calistra? Those are outlawed. As are quantities of poison, drugs, and oversized weapons...
Andrelis watches the search unfold, Something's not right, this could mean trouble for us, be ready for anything....
He produces his papers when asked, and simply states that he has nothing to declare....
|
|
Gareleth watches as the customs agent and his crew come aboard and then, as the underlings completely overstep their bounds and undermine the Halfling's authority, Gareleth totally misses that and says to the Halfling, "Fine job managing your underlings. Let them do all the work so you can just supervise. Excellent work. So, where in town might one find suitable gifts for a small child who is an aspiring warrior?" and he gives the Halfling a warm, tusk-toothed smile.
|
Parrameleh tilts her head toward Andrelis, "Two options spring to mind, one is that Cassian is a plant meant to show us up and derail this new relationship with Cheliax before it beings. The other is that these chaps will plant something, or perhaps an agent of theirs on the ship, so that they can extort money, favours or something else from us."
|
|
Nodding at Parrameleh's words, Andrelis sighs, Could be just that, although I'd have thought their overwhelming sense of duty to the letter of the law would prevent that sort of behavior... Let me talk to the customs agent...Yuzu...psst.. YUZU... let's talk to the customs halfling, back me up?
Andrelis will wander over to the customs agent, Fine morn' Master Credence, how fairs things with you this day? Is there something happening, or something we can help with? I believe all our paperwork is in order, yes? He subtly adjusts the gold adornments at his wrist as he talks to the halfling, and acts as if he doesn't have a care in the world, other than being held up by this 'inspection'...
Waking up from a long nap down below deck, a man makes his way up to the deck. The other Pathfinders see human monk walk up - the fabled sixth member of the party you guys haven't met yet.
=========
Tamrin questions Captain Zaerim, who refers to the Pathfinders only as 'passengers from Absalom.'. Then the halfling turns to the Pathfinders. "What is your business in Corentyn? Please prepare a list of declared goods.". He'll wait for the list and will ignore any small talk. "You are not allowed to unload your supplies until morning." He mainly looks at the captain for that. "Also, any arcane spell more powerful than a cantrip cannot ... I repeat cannot, be cast within 5 miles of the Esoterium. We will catch you and your spellbook burned or your hands will be broken.". He then eyes each of you. "You are welcome to register at the Esoterium to gain a temporary license for 50 gp. And any divine casters must register at the Harbormaster's office - but I can do that for you immediately.". It sounds like he's gone over this spiel thousands of time and wants to get moving.
|
|
Oh, of course, we're headed to the museum of history to meet with a renowned scholar, Zefiro Balinger. We've nothing to hide, and will of course abide by the laws of Cheliax while visiting the city.
His eyes snap to the other figure approaching them, Is that Tuck I see? Haven't seen you in quite some time there friend! Still got those cookies? He smiles and attempts to focus things on the approaching figure, rather than his terrible lie...
Tamrin points to the patrols of Hellknights to waylay any concern. "Your gear is completely safe. Do not worry. Though if you are worried about not having weapons in the city, go to the Wicked Fork in the West Drenches. I've heard the food can kill someone even if the proprietor's endless banter fails to do the trick.". Both he and his associates break out into a hearty laugh.
|
|
Tuck's constant smile gets a little broader at the sight of his friends.
His cheerful booming voice rings out "Hello! Of course I've got cookies!
He opens his bag and brings out a paper bag from which the smell of freshly baked good radiates. After handing out some to Gareleth and Andy he offers the bag to everyone else. He offers a waterskin of fresh milk around too. "Drink up while its fresh."
On the boat he asks around. "Could anyone help me hide my knuckle duster? I find them handy sometimes."
|
|
Smiling all the way as the group welcomes Tuck, Tuck, its been too long, since we trashed those Trogs! Come on lad, lets get you situated and proper. Andrelis welcomes the monk into the group.
He puts his hands on the 'knuckle duster' quiet friend, we're set, and dont' draw attention to yourself... This is a very delicate negotiation.
Tamrin looks at Parrameleh. "Sorry, no, you can't take the club."
The Pathfinders leave Tamrin and the Sea Sylph behind. Off to the Museum of History! The Museum of History stands almost a story taller than most other buildings in Corentyn's High Quarter on the north side of the city. Once a courthouse, the building now houses relics from Corentyn's past.
Broad marble steps, barely dulled with age and showing only the tiniest cracks lead to the solid, reinforced double doors of Corentyn's Museum of History. The building stands in stark contrast to the surrounding structures, most of which are small, cramped, and crumbling. Two city guards stand at the intersection nearby, watching the tradesfolk, fishermen, vinters, and others who make High Quarter their home.
The Museum of History's maple plank flooring is heavily scarred with the passage of many years and countless visitors, yet it shines from recent and repeated coats of polish. A faint aroma of linseed oil hangs in the air, mingling with the familiar scent of musty, leather-bound tomes.
Zefiro Balinger meets the Pathfinders in an adjacent wing, where he nervously watches the streets. "Welcome to the Museum of History," he greets everyone warmly as visitors.