Heroes for Highdelve
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The door opens and you see the renowned Venture-Captain Drandle Dreng enter the meeting room.
He looks as if he did not have much sleep as he has a sleepy-eyed look on his face.
He has a violin and a meerschaum pipe in his hand and sets it on the table. He withdraws a small pouch from the slipper and opening it, removes some shag tobacco. He begins to pack the pipe with the tobacco before removing a hot poker from a fireplace in the room, touching it to the pipe bowl, and drawing on the pipe until the contents kindle an ember.
He stands eyeing the assembled group and puffing on the pipe for a long few moments before speaking.
"Well, well, so you are the team they sent here for this mission?! You look tough but are you the right people for this mission? You already heard that we are sending you to Highdelve, right?" he says with a stern look.
"First missions are usually less dangerous but our informant's reasons to ask for a team as well as the nature of the assignment were a little vague ..."
He eyes you again.
"I called you in tonight to discuss a problem I need you to solve." he says as clouds of pipe smoke drift lazily around his head.
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One of your fellow recruits is a young woman with raven-black hair, brown skin, and a piercing gaze. Her colorful raiment and tattoos mark her as Varisian, and the wooden butterfly hanging from her neck marks her as a worshiper of Desna.
Her voice is rich and portentious, with an air of authority. "Venture-Captain Dreng, the spirits tell me I am ready to take on my first mission, and they have not yet led me astray. Tell us, what is the problem?"
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"Well, more than two centuries ago, the humans of House Garess flourished in the foothills of the Golushkin Mountains in western Brevoy, where they founded Highdelve as a settlement of human artisans to work the dwarven ore their allies supplied. However, as the years went on, House Garess’s numbers waned, and the noble family scaled its business back. By this time, thousands inhabited Highdelve."
He looks at you to see if you are still listening.
"Rather than languish under House Garess’s neglect, the Highdelvers began to focus on self-sufficiency. It built a robust economy and 50 years ago, the leaders of highdelve approached the patriarch of House Garess in Grayhaven roughly 20 miles south. It wasn’t full independence Highdelve wanted as much as a release from any major taxes and military duties the town might owe its feudal overlords. Not in the position to fight the Highdelvers, House Garess acquiesced. From that day, Highdelve has been independent in everything but the strictest formalities."
He pauses for a moment.
"Have you ever heard of Aurelliax?" he asks.
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Being so far north, winters are long and harsh. The short spring and summer seasons require the populace to farm and fish just enough to keep food on the table.
* * * Separate check * * *
You have heard the stories of Highdelve's history in more detail ... what the Highdelvers didn’t know, however, is that benevolent eyes had been watching the situation that the Venture-Captain described unfold.
The settlement piqued the interest of Aurelliax, a gold dragon who had lived for more than a century in a mountaintop lair near Highdelve.
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The dragon admired the town’s tenacity, and its people’s generosity toward their neighbors warmed her kind heart. Shortly after Highdelve broke from House Garess, Aurelliax offer the humans her patronage and protection for free.
Elated and humbled, the townspeople accepted—provided that Aurelliax never involved herself in the settlement’s internal affairs. After all, the Highdelvers did not wish to simply trade one overlord for another. Her motivations genuine and pure, Aurelliax assented.
For the Highdelvers’ part, awe for Aurelliax quickly turned into true affection, as the dragon time and again has demonstrated her dedication to this settlement of about 4,500.
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Before you appears a halfling with his trustworthy, and saddled, wolf. The halfling wears chain a chain shirt with thick pants and padded shoulder pads. On his left shoulder pad bear the symbol of the order of the Paw, an exclusively halfling order of Cavaliers (for those with any knowledge in local and, or nobility I would assume).
The halfling yawns into "Aureli.. who?" as he stretches our his left arm straight to the sky and the right arm up but then bent at a 45 degree angle before relaxing both arms down again. "The name is Rodric and this here" as he pats the wolf " is Tommy. "Just tell us what you are going to say rather than having us just guess; having us repeat what you already know and will need to clarify won't save anyone any effort."
((way too many guides I been reading through, have not come across how to bold in my skim reading, will remove this and put in bolds upon receive said knowledge. Someone can message me about hwo to get my tats at the beginning would be great too. also why am I bono_bob1?))
Brialla shrugs, "Nope, not heard of it. Some kind of creature?"
Brialla fiddles with the feathers adorning the top of her longbow, "So, what do you actually want us to do?"
Dreng raises an eyebrow.
"Aurelliax is a gold dragon who had lived for more than a century in a mountaintop lair near Highdelve and the dragon time and again has demonstrated her dedication to this settlement of about 4,500."
He pauses again.
"I do not want to go into the details of why a gold dragon would do that but I can assure you that we had a hand in that story. This was just background information because your mission actually concerns two kids. Well, they are young adults by now. RICHELLE AND TOLWIN are their names. They are not related but they are the kids of two deceased Pathfinders. We placed them under the protection of the mayor of Highdelve 17 summers ago - Winette Qarl is her name."
The Venture-Captain sighs and looks at his feet.
"We received a message that they are misbehaving. I have to admit that this mission is personal for me and I want you to check on them. They know nothing about their parents' history but if you can find out what is going on I would appreciate that."
He looks back into your eyes again and smokes his pipe, sending smoke into the air.
"Of course we would never send you to Highdelve just because of two kids ... this is just a coincidence that I am using to my own benefit." he laughs.
"During one of our other missions we learned of a plot againt Aurelliax. We do not know the details but we know that an agent of a cult of Kostchtchie, Gilda Korgren, traveled to Highdelve more than a year ago to craft a ring with special significance to the cult of Kostchtchie ... additionally, we learned about a Port Ice–based shipping company that is trying to track cargo that went missing between the port and Silverhall in southern Brevoy. We do know that the cargo included several Thassilonian relics that could also be of value to the Kostchtchie worshipper."
Born a mortal man of Ulfen stock before being cursed, Kostchtchie is now the demon lord of giants and biting cold.
Kostchtchie's main worshipers are giants who have turned from the worship of their traditional deities, particularly Thremyr, and instead embraced the demonic as being a more aggressive philosophy.
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Jido flashes a smile at the Venture-Captain and gently protests. "I'm but a hair older than those two, so they may be more than a little resistant of any attempt I may make to . . . discipline them."
She continues, her alto voice turning more serious, "As for the cargo, is there evidence other than circumstantial that leads you to suspect Gilda?"
"No more evidence. Just rumors. To be honest my biggest concern is the woman - we know very little about Gilda Korgren. She is a human follower of a demonic god ... and we know that she has a son from a letter we were able to dispatch. But nothing else."
He looks at the whole group and tries to assess your level of comfort with this mission and continues.
"This is one of your first missions so be careful. Please make haste and travel to Highdelve. Any more questions?"
HIGHDELVE
It’s late when your caravan arrives in Highdelve.
Most of the travelers are only stopping for dinner before proceeding on to the next town, but you have a mission here, and so you remain when the wagons pull out again.
When you get to the inn you find it unusually crowded. The innkeeper only has one room available, what with the festival tomorrow.
If you’re willing to share, however, she has some cots she can set up and there should be room enough for the four of you. As you walk down into the common room for dinner, you find it, too, is more crowded than you would expect.
A four-top comes open right as you walk in, though, and almost as soon as you sit the waiter comes by with bowls of stew and mugs of ale for the four of you. You eat and have a chance to get to know your new comrades on this mission.
Brialla rarely begins conversations but answers directly and without shyness when others engage her. She is thoughtful but not especially schooled, so she often interrogates others ideas, asking for more information.
She shakes her head at the bar, "Festival? What festival?"
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Although most people that spend their time in the wilderness among animals are rather private and taciturn, BiggerBird is positively outgoing and garrulous. He talks with everybody during the caravan trip (even the beasts of burden). He volunteers to help everyone with any task no matter how trivial.
Although you can tell he doesn't really care for the stew, he cheerfully thanks the waiter.
A festival, oh hey that sounds like fun!
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Jido is an engaging traveler, taking in everyone's stories and sharing some of her own (mostly humorous anecdotes from her village of Pendaka).
Occassionally, she mutters under her breath to no one in particular. Anyone who asks her about it only receives the reply: "I am communing with the spirits. You can do the same, of course. Just take a seat and let me get out my cards. Comfortable? She begins dealing the cards in front of her, until they are arranged in three rows of three. "Good, now let's see what Lady Lucky has in store for you."
She's excited to hear that there's a festival in Highdelve. "I'd love to sample the food stalls, see what's on sale. Maybe find a fellow diviner and do a joint reading!"
She wonders if the celebrations are as lively as those of the Swallowtail Festival or the Ritual of Stardust.
what is the Brightbloom Jubilee?
During the first evening and your first hour on the jubilee you learn that the Brightbloom Jubilee is a 2-day party with a distinct structure of events.
Before the jubilee, the town elects two young locals to serve as Bloomgivers — an enormous honor for those chosen. Early on the celebration’s first day, the Bloomgivers venture with an empty wagon up nearby Dendra’s Slope, where the largest field of brightblooms grows.
The jubilee then runs throughout the day, and it includes a full slate of amusements, games, and festive street food, all set up in the town’s main Protectress Square.
In the afternoon, the Bloomgivers return to town with the first harvest of brightblooms, and the townspeople fete the youths’ journey by escorting them from the gates back to Protectress Square.
There, the Bloomgivers hand out brightblooms to eager townspeople. The rest of the evening is spent as a public dance party known as the Brightbloom Ball. The jubilee’s second day is spent alternately removing winterizing measures from the town’s buildings and breaking into spontaneous rounds of song and dance.
Brialla asks around, "Who are the Bloomgivers this time?"
You learn that the bloomgivers are Kameer and Kara and that no outside participation is possible.
But one of the kids you ask is a little shy when he sees your impressive form but he takes out a piece of paper from his pocket and hands it over to you.
"Look here! It is really sad. And ... and the mayor is really angry. No idea what happened."
Upon picking the leaflet you see that it bears sketches of a scowling human boy and girl, each about 17, along with the following message.
“Be advised: Richelle and Tolwin, apprentices to Carth Garenth and Yarla Bowhammer, are not permitted at the jubilee. If seen, please turn them away from your events.”
The mood is festive in the inn as the evening progresses. Eventually, weary from your travel, you head to bed.
The sun rises, and after a quiet breakfast, you emerge out into the town square. Beams of sunlight stream past the snow-capped mountains as a joyous scene spreads before you.
Overnight, the town's staid and utilitarian main square sprouted colorful tents, a pop-up theater, a spinning contraption made of barrel bottoms, some manner of race course, and more unexpected delights.
Laughter and boisterous shouts echo from all the square's corners as its quaint cobblestone streets teem with villagers sporting festive clothes and wide smiles.
Throughout it all, the smell of fried foods weaves through air laced with the warmth of a summer that's just begun.
Activities in view:
A1. Youths stand on and around tall wooden storage boxes, playing some sort of game.
A2. Lanes have been drawn and sack races are being run.
A3. A large, gilt statue of a dragon.
A4. A Barrel-Go-Round ride has been erected.
A5. A small puppet theater has gathered a crowd.
A6. A stand sells delicious-smelling fried food on sticks.
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Several well-dressed professionals stand in a circle bandying about the lingo of seasoned traders. “What a time to be visiting!” one shouts.
“It’s the best time to catch important people in one place. If you’ve any business to conduct in Highdelve, now’s the time for it, to be sure!”
A teenage boy pushes through the crowd with a star-struck look on his face.
“Have you seen her? Have you seen Aurelliax? You know, the gold dragon! The one who keeps the whole town safe! She’s here, but she never stays in one place for long. Everyone wants to talk to her, and she’s so nice—she wants to spend time with us all!”
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For the past decade or so, the people of Highdelve have expressed some concern about sending their youthful Bloomgivers up Dendra’s Slope to collect brightblooms for several hours alone.
The brightbloom field is about an hour’s hike from the town proper, and the foothills are full of threats.
To quell their qualms, and to reinforce that Aurelliax would never suffer an outside threat to the town, the gold dragon has begun lending the Bloomgivers a special amulet called the Golden Pendant each year for their journey up the slope.
Not even the gold dragon has elaborated on exactly what the amulet can do, and she’s instructed the townspeople not to bother examining it much magically, but everyone knows that it’s a treasure that would make Abadar himself proud.
Two elderly women watch a group of adolescents giggle and shoot furtive glances toward the square’s western entrance.
“It warms this old granny’s heart to see those sweet kids,” one of the women says. “So young! So much energy! They just can’t wait for the Bloomgivers to come back from Dendra’s Slope so they can celebrate. But I wonder what’s keeping those Bloomgivers? They’ve usually returned by now!”
Brialla taps her fellow pathfinders on the arm, ”The bloom getters are late. There’s an evil cultist in town and the kids we’re looking for are banned from the party.” She starts heading out of the village, ”C’mon, let’s find these bloom getters.”
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Mallycorn was busy trying to make some small talk here and there, but had no more information to offer.
Maybe people had an hard time speaking to a priest of Pharasma in such a joyous event, maybe the locals considered it a bad omen.
The priest understood that, and took no offense
Spotting the ragtag group, he walks toward them with a smile
Greetings, fellows Pathfinders. The Venture Captain asked me to join you at High Delve. Seems there is a cult of Kotshchie to fight somewhere, if I understood well, but I might be mistaken. Kotchie being the god , or more precisely demon-lord, of giants and cold, for those who don't know. My name is Mallycorn Tavee, and I am a follower of Pharasma. I hope I can assist you.
His tone isn't pedantic, he's just happy to give some information
Brialla shakes Mallycorn's hand, "Good t' meet y'."
She keeps walking, beckoning Mallycorn along with the group, "We'll fill you in on the way. Our cultist isn't around. The kids are banned from the festival and now the bloom-gatherers - kinda king and queen of the feast - have gone missing up the mountain."
She strides purposefully.
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Jido takes in the sights and foods, listening to people's hopes and concerns.
"I do have some business, actdually. Would anyone like a card readin . . .".
A tap on her arm. A worried look crosses Jido's face upon hearing about the cultists from Brialla. "Nothing good ever lasts, I suppose. Let me grab my coat."
The Bloomgivers return
As you are thinking about leaving the festivities, you all hear murmurs of alarm from the western end of Protectress Square which soon become shrieks of shock.
Two people stumble into the square - a young dark-haired man and a light-haired woman, half walking and half relying on the shoulders of friends.
Winces of pain cross their bloodied faces.
Somewhere, someone shouts, "The Bloomgivers have been attacked' Someone get Aurelliax!"
The crowd around the Bloomgivers hushes and parts, and the mayor strides purposefully toward the injured youths.
A grim look on her face, she reaches a hand lovingly toward the Bloomgivers.
Mayor Qarl, a woman with grey hair, addresses the crowd in a commanding voice.
"Silence! Aurelliax left minutes ago due to an urgent matter. She did not trust me with the details."
She turns toward the Bloomgivers.
"Kameer. Kara. Young ones, what has happened here?"
The Bloomgivers pause to catch their breath before answering. " We' re so sorry, Mayor Qarl ," Kara says.
"We were picking the brightblooms when those bullies set upon us. They took us completely by surprise, and they stole the Golden Pendant right from Kameer's neck! We barely got out with our lives!” Kameer nods.
"It was Richelle and Tolwin! They're up on Dendra's Slope, and they've still got Aurelliax's amulet!”
At this news, several individuals, including the proprietors of the jubilee's events emerge from the crowd.
The town's mayor visibly bristles with anger.
"I've had enough of those two! Clearly we should have punished them more harshly!" she says.
"We have to retrieve these misbehaving kids. We have to get Aurelliax's amulet back, and those two will get the justice they deserve in our stocks."
Brialla steps forward, "We'll handle it." She gestures to her company, all armed and dressed for travel, "It's what we do."
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Do you mind if I take a quick look at those young ones bruises and wounds, before we go? I promise I won't take too long, and maybe we could get some more information on this ambush
Mallycorn, if allowed, will look the Bloomgivers wounds
So, can you tell us what happened, and how? Did your attackers said something? Do you have an idea why they stole that amulet?
The priest listen to the answers intensely, while bandaging the wounds
Brialla steps forward, "We'll handle it." She gestures to her company, all armed and dressed for travel, "It's what we do."
A man in the crowed looks at Brialla with anger and shouts "Who are you?!? We do not know you! We have to get Aurelliax to help!"
The mayor looks at the man ruefully.
"These bullies are two of our own!"
The people in the crowd give a regretful nod.
"You all know the rules! I'm terribly sorry,"
Mayor Qarl continues, "but I'm afraid that Aurelliax can't directly help. You see, Aurelliax promised our forebears that she would never interfere in the town's interpersonal matters. She cannot turn her wrath against any of our town-not even if they might deserve it."
Do you mind if I take a quick look at those young ones bruises and wounds, before we go? I promise I won't take too long, and maybe we could get some more information on this ambush
Mallycorn, if allowed, will look the Bloomgivers wounds
Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
** spoiler omitted **
So, can you tell us what happened, and how? Did your attackers said something? Do you have an idea why they stole that amulet?
The priest listen to the answers intensely, while bandaging the wounds
Sense motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Kara and Kameer are very relieved by your courage and they seem truthful to Mallycorn.
"Oh thank you for helping Mr.! Well, these two thugs are trouble makers! But usually totally harmless!! I have to admit that everything was over so fast when we were up there! They attacked us with longswords and I also saw them carrying a bow! No one else was there!! They really... really tried to hurt us..." Kara says.
Mallycorn realizes immediately that the wounds they have matches that description although you can see that at least some hits were definitely with the flat side of the sword if it was really longswords that hit them.
Jido swallows the last bit of festival fare she had been chewing. "Yes, it's most fortunate the Pathfinder Society just happened to have some agents in Highdelve today."
A nervous grin crosses her face.
The mayor suddenly loos at Jido with a surprised expression.
”So you are part of the society? A big burden had to be carried in your name for almost two decades! But you have come to a town which is open so there does not need to be any secrecy!“ she says.
She turns to the townsfolk and then back to you.
”We all have to thank you visitors!! Please, travel up Dendra’s slope, directly west of town about 3 miles," the mayor says gently.
"It sounds like the bullies are still there. The brightbloom patch is just past an old abandoned shack-that's where you'll want to start looking."
”Find these wayward youths, and return them along with Aurelliax's amulet to the people. We'll bring back the brightblooms to the square, and Kameer and Kara here can hand them out as planned. We'll commence the Brightbloom Ball and put all of this unpleasantness behind us!"
Mallycorn, being a follower and servant of Pharasma, who watches about Fate, smiles and nods at Jido's words
Most fortunate, indeed.
Turning to the assembled townsfolk, the mayor says with a smile "Fortune indeed! Do any of you have things you might loan to this group?"
Yarla steps forward with a smile. "I just so happen to have a crate of items in my inventory right now, bound for a bodyguard firm in Port Ice. I'm sure they wouldn't mind a little quality control testing on one or two."
Looking at Brialla's bow, she adds "I might even have some blunt arrows, too."
Brialla takes the blunt arrows, and fidgets, ready to get on the mountain.
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At least they had the decency to use the flat of their blades, and not hasten your departure to the Boneyard of Pharasma. A few days rest and your natural, youthfull health will be enough to get back on your feet.
He gives the two Bloomgivers a warm smile, and a wink
Be sure to ask your moms your favorite meals while you rest.
Then he gots back to the group, pondering the new information, before speaking while they are out of townfolks ears
It seems Richelle and Tollwin, the two bullies, could have killed the Bloomgivers easily. While we can rejoice at this small mercy, it means they didn't care their victims would go back to the town, and warn the folk of their misadventure. Either they could be gone away, now that they have the amulet, or they wait for a vengeful party, and plan an ambush. If that's the case, they probably have some back up. Two bullies can't stand against the fury of a whole town. What do you think? Do we have informations about the amulet? What's its importance to the town?
"It is tied to the dragon somehow. That's all we really know."
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"That's right, Mayor Qarl, we are looking into matters in this region, but we will try to resolve your problems with Richelle and Tolwin". Jido takes a sap on offer from Yarla.
She turns to her compatriots. "I sense a connection between these wayward youths and the woman we've investigating. Perhaps the two showed restraint out of fear rather than cunning; they may never have killed before. If they are planning an ambush, I can call upon allies of my own from the spirit realm."
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Oh dear, I hope more unpleasantness isn't necessary. But I suppose I should take those just in case. Why would they do something so out of character as to attack people? You even said they were harmless before this.
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”So you are part of the society? A big burden had to be carried in your name for almost two decades! But you have come to a town which is open so there does not need to be any secrecy!“ she says...
You are starting your journey to Dendra's Slope
After a quick trip to Yarla's warehouse, you head toward Dendra's Slope, about three miles away.
As you approach the slope, you see a wagon full of already-picked brightblooms, and remember the mayor saying they would come pick it up once you've dealt with the bullies.
You see the brightblooms in more detail and know these flowers under a different name. But you know that crushed brightblooms confer a +2 bonus when used as part of any Heal check.
You can see a dilapidated hut, a nearby slope covered in flowers, and a cave entrance a little ways away.
Brrt